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A HISTORY 



OF THE 



TOWN OF ACUSHNET, 



BRISTOL COUNTY, 
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



BY FRANKLYN ROWLAND. 

1 1 



ILLUSTRATED 



PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 

NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS. 

1907. 






UBRARY of CONGRESS 

Two Copies Kecaivec 

MAR 26 1308 

Oouyrufiii tnwy 
' COPY B. 



Copyrighted 1907 

BY FRANKLYN ROWLAND, 

AcusHNET, Mass. 

All Rights Reserved. 



I'RINTED UY 

E. Anthony & Sons, Inc. 

NEW BEDFORD, MASS. 



To 

]\Ty Sons 

Leroy Albert Hovoland 

and 

Max Franklyn Howland 

this 

History of their Native Town 

is 

Affectionately Dedicated 

» 

by the 
Author. 




I'hiMo. I.y A. H. Mc( riaiv. I'liiliu 



STREET VIEW IN ACl'SHNET VILLAGE. 
Looking eastward from the Mcihodist Parsonage. 



A TALK WITH THE READER 

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST 

It has been said that "oi iiinkiiiy many lM)()ks there is iiu end." In 
the interest of common humanity there should, however, be an end to the 
large class of books whicli demoralize, deprave and degenerate. But the 
history of all parts of our country shoukl be written and put in a form 
for perusal, reference and preservation. Every organization and person 
who is engaged in an effort of this character is doing a commendable 
work, whicli sliould be encouraged and assisted by everyone who has it 
in his |)ower to do so. 

In the research for material for my genealogy of the Ilowland family 
in America, which I published in 1888, I made memoranda of historical 
matter relating to the town of Acushnet, found in records and old docu- 
ments, and what was related to me by aged people, some of whom were 
born soon after the Revolutionary war, recalling what was toUl them of 
incidents occurring many years previous to that event. The passing away 
of these people, and the possibility of the destruction of valuable and 
interesting old records and documents, led me to decide to undertake the 
arduous task of placing what I possessed and could gather in the accom- 
panying form. 

Realizing the importance of absolute accuracy in writing history, I 
have spared no time or labor in endeavoring to verify, if possible, every 
item on the following pages. Notwithstanding this some errors will 
doubtless be found herein. 

Several of the most highly respected and prosperous families in 
southern ]Massachusetts had their early New England homes within the 
boundaries of this town. Here they have been represented for two and 
a half centuries. The knowledge that the interest and value of this work 
would be greatly enhanced by sketches of these families, led me to 
prepare and insert a number of them, together with likenesses and brief 
biographies of past and present citizens, also cuts of ]»ublic buildings, 
residences, and views of some of the many attractive sjjots in the town. 
These will be appreciated by descendants of these jiersons. and b\ writci-s 
of history, biography and gen'ealogy in the future. 

All the biograi)hical sketches were written by myself antl the half- 
tones of persons were furnished at my earnest solicitation. I am sorry 
some who were appealed to for such declined to respond, for it is certain 
that many of their friends and relatives now, and their posterity will 
regret their decision. 

Appreciating from experience the value of a complete index, I have 



endeavored to prepare one for this work. The usefulness of many 
valuable books of this class is greath' discounted by possessing a meagre 
index. 

'J'liis history covers not oidy the 1'(»\vii of Acushnet since its incorpora- 
tion. l)iit the territory within its present boundaries back to its original 
purchase by Plymouth colonists. The early history of the Acushnet tract 
is so inter-woven Avith that of the sections that are now New Bedford, 
Fairhaven and Dartmouth, which were originally included in the so-called 
"Ancient Cushena," timt it was essential some of the history of the early 
days of the entire "Cushenagg Naighbourhood" should be given herein. 

My purpose has been to give the public in the follov/ing pages unbiased 
ami unembcllishcd historical, genealogical and biographical material, 
I('a\ing it to llic i-cadci- to inject, if he wishes, sentimental paragraphs, 
and artistic word pictures Avith which some published historical matter 
is unfortunately distorted — a mass of facts, frills and tiction which it is 
impossible for the reader to dissect and separate the wheat from the 
cliaff. 

1 am indebted to many of the present and former residents of this 
town and others for assistance in the preparation of this Avork, for Avhich 
tlie\' have my grateful appreciation. I am uiuler especial o])]igati(Ui to the 
following persons : 

Alden White, the efficient and courteous town clerk of Acushnet, for 
A'aluable aid and suggestions. 

Henry B. AVorth, Es(i., of Ncav Bedford, for contributions from his 
large and valiiiihle collection of land titles, original layouts, description 
ol' old houses, etc. 

James E. Reed of Ncav Bedford, Photographer, who furnished 
phot()grai)hs for half-tones, as indicated. JNIr. Reed possesses the nega- 
tives, and pi-in1s iroin them can be obtained of him. 

The New Bedford iMercury for the kind loan of cuts of old houses. 

The reveinu' from the s,ale of this book will probably not cover the 
expense of publishing it, as the town is a small erne and the demand for 
the book nnist eonse(pientl\- be sinjill. Notwithstanding this and the 
fact that 1 am liandieappeil in such work hy great physical disability. I 
am compensated for the labor in the enjoyment I have experienced in 
])la('inL;' the conlenls of this voluiiu' Avhere it will be preserA'ed for all time: 
Avhi'i-c il will atl'oi'd |)l('asMi'e I'oi- some now living, and he prized when 
yon and 1. dear reader, have joined 

"The itnnimerable caravan that moves 
To that m\sterious realm." 



"TheDen", AVayside, jhy^ 

Fairhaven road, Acushnet. Alass. 
NeAv Year Da v. 1<)()7. 



{fnv^AALijjLM^ur^x^^ 




(/nv\AAJufjuLjT(n^ 



Hn flDcnionam 



He whose tireless energy and patient, painstaking research ex- 
humed, collected and compiled the fragmentary and scattered records, 
sifted and preserved the fading traditions of liis loved home, this fair 
"CiLshena" land and placed them in form available for his townsmen 
and futurity was himself debarred the satisfaction of knowing how his 
efforts were to lie appreciated. While busily engaged on this work, 
nearly completed. Capt. Howland was stricken with apoplexy and 
passed (piickly from the scene of his labors. To a friend who knew him 
long and intimately it is a privilege to suggest that there could be no 
more significant comment on the intelligent, conscientious character of 
the labor which i)repared these pages and also of the contemporary life 
of his land and time than a brief character sketch of the author. Farther, 
it is fitting that this last comprehensive, loving work of him "whose 
dying hand the rudder held'' should bear some memorial of himself. 

Captain Howland was a native of Little Compton, R. I., an old 
farming and fishing town on the east shore of Narragausett Bay; a region 
which m early days was a veritable land of refuge for those colonists 
whose radical views clashed with the rigid Puritan theocracy of the Bay 
Colony. These settlers were largely men of pronounced individuality 
and strong, original character, often agreeing among themselves in little 
but non-conformity and dissent and among them was a very large con- 
stituency of Quakers or Friends. Differing from the Puritans in what 
seems to this age unimportant matters of theology, they laid equal or 
greater stress on those fundamental principles and sturdy virtues which 
were so wrought into the best types of New England character. From 
a long ancestry like this Captain Howland traced his descent. On his 
father's isolated farm with the wi(;le horizon of the bordering sea, in 
conditions the most healthful, moral and ])hvsical. Franklvn Howland 
performed a farmer boy's arduous ami not unimportant duties, develop- 
ing and strengthening brain and nniscle and imbibing those principles 



which gave character to his after life. His early educational opportimi- 
ties, such as were furnished by the public schools of his time, were but 
meagre, even though siii)plemente(l by a few terms at a neighboring 
academy, and at the early age of sixteen he was performing the duties 
of a clerk in a New York importing house. Here at the opening of the 
Civil AVar. tired with enthusiasm, he enlisted in the 14th Regiment N. Y. 
State ]\Iilitia. Hawkins Zouaves, and in tlie flowing blue jacket, baggy red 
trousers and leggins of tliat locally famous corps joined the army of the 
Potomac. P;ir1icip;iting witii his regiment in the first battle of Bull Run. 
he was aflci-wards transfen-ed to the Dei)artment of the Gulf, when his effi- 
ciency was recognized and he rcccMved promotion. Captured by the enemy 
he experienced, for almost a ycjif. the horrors of Confederate prison life 
inider the hardships of which his splendid constitution gave way. Pa- 
roled )ie came hoiiic ;iii iii\;ili(l and Ihuugh. thanks to his temperate 
habits and line |)liysi(|iic. he iilliniateiy recovered his robust general 
health, he was a life-ldiig sufferer from paralysis of the spinal cord, to 
relieve which tlie most skillt'iil and persistent nunlical treatment was un- 
availing. To a man of Ca])tain Howland's early ]n'omise, great and)ition 
and unusual at»ility this elian^c ol' pi-(»spects. the readjustment of life 
to this crushing ndsfortun'e involved a mental struggle few can appre- 
ciate. However he took up tlie burden, accepted the affliction and with- 
out a murmur cheerfullx' and courageously strove to make a success of 
what life remained. 'I'houuh |)hysically incapacitated for laborious 
duties, few men lived a more active life. Few entered more into the 
interests of the comniunity, were more ready to give a helping hand to 
a suffering friend or a worthy cause and every measure for economic, 
social nr moral advancement found in him an effective champion. He 
was an influential member of the j\Iethodist Episcopal Church and prom- 
inent in all its lines of activity. He took an active interest in controlling 
the demoralizing liquor traffic, in the legal prohibition of which he was 
a firm and consistent believer. Too radical, ])ronoiniced aiul uncoinpro 
ndsing for a |Militician. y<'t as nieniliei' <>f school committee and vai'ious 
town commissidiis, his cleai'. |)rac1ical cnmnn'ii sense always secured a 
hearing and gave him pii>mineiice. and in 1SS>, on occasion of a revolt of 
voters against the Republican candidate. Captain Howland was elected 
to the ^Massachusetts Senate. Here, beneath the gilded dome, he gave 
the same cdnscientious, efficient service which everywhere characterized 
liis efforts. He was an enthusiastic hortieult ni'alist and his home "Way- 
side" became a bower of beaut.v. He always nunntainetl an active ami 
intelligent interest in agrii-nltnre and was instrumental in tiu^ formation 
of the South liristol Farmers Club, one of the nu)st successful and edu- 
cational fai-mei-s' organizations in the state. He was its first jn-esident 
wlii'-li [insition he held to the time of his death, and liis interest in its 



welfare and his efforts for its sneeess were nnwaning. Notwithstandin» 
his man.y and various activities he fonnd time for much historical work, 
for which he had a special taste. Captain Howland possessed not only the 
liigh aim, the moral and esthetic purpose, the intelligent energy which 
count for success everywhere, but what in this age is much rarer, the 
sturdy, primitive virtues of self-denial, of thrift and discriminating, 
purposeful economy, inherited from an ancestry wdiich helped make the 
New England of literature and tradition of "plain living and high 
thinking'." 



i I 



The old traditions of his State. 

The memories of her great and good 
Took from his life a fresher date 

And in himself embodied stood." 

In every position in which he was placed, Franklyn Howland did 
what his hands found to do with credit t(j himself, honor to his constitu- 
ency and the well-being of humanity. Of few men it has been my lot 
to know^ could it be as well said, as of the Old Puritan Jurist, 

"True and tender and brave and just, 
Whom man might honor and W02uan trust." 



D. C. POTTER. 



Seonticut, 
Fairhaven, Mass. 

December, 1907. 



CONTENTS 



Page 

Discovery 7 

"The Cushenagg Naighbourhood" 8 

The Allotment of "Cushnet" S 

The Name Aeushnet 9 

This Purchase 10 

The First Comers to Old Ciishena 12 

The Pioneer Settlers 14 

The Birth of Dartmouth 14 

The Indian War 15 

Old Houses 21 

Antijms Hathaway House 23 

The Taber Homestead '. . . . 24 

Captain Andrew J. Wing Place 24 

Mason Taber Tavern 25 

Jabez Taber 's Tavern 26 

Sands Wing House 27 

Dr. Tobey House 28 

Captain Franklyn Howland Place ". 29 

The Laura Keene Farm 29 

Dr. Samuel West House 30 

Harrington House 31 

Jonathan Swift House 32 

The Pope Tavern 32 

Greenwood House 33 

Reuben Mason House 34 

Judge Spooner House 35 

Ebenezer Keene House 36 

James Cushman House 36 

Jenney-Morse House 37 

Spooner- Ashley House 38 

Spooner-Bradford House 39 

Capt. Humphrey Hathaway House 40 

The Postoffice Building 41 

William White House 41 

Samuel Sprague House 42 

Walter Spooner House 43 

Stephen Hathaway House . . . 4:4: 

Leonard Boat House 45 

Summerton House 46 

The Thomas Wood House 47 



Wind Mills 48 

Auld Lang Syne 49 

Original LaA'Outs of Aciislincl Laiids 53 

The Triangle 57 

The .Mill Lot. etc 59 

Aciishnet River and Its Tiilmtarit's 61 

Revolutionary War 63 

Revolutionary War Incidents 76 

A Revolutionary War Hero ' 78 

Samuel Joy 's Oven 79 

Small Pox Scourge 80 

Stage Travel 81 

Human Slavery in Acushnet 83 

Indian Relics and Grave Yards 85 

Stocks and Whipping Posts 86 

Ship Building at Acushnet Village 87 

The War of 1812 88 

September Gale 90 

Spotted Fever Epidemic 91 

Off Springs of Old Dartiuoulh 92 

Acushnet 'J'ownship 94 

Iiicorporal ion and Set Oft' 97 

Situation of Acnsliiict 100 

lousiness at llu' I Jniitiiiiiig 101 

The First Town Meet ing 102 

Town Officers 104 

Town Glerks 104 

Town Clerks. Collcctoi-s and Ti'casui'crs 105 

Selectmen 105 

School Committee 106 

Surveyors of Highways 107 

Constables 109 

Board of Health Ill 

Auditors Ill 

Private Schools 112 

T'nioii Soniiiiary 112 

The Long Plain i^oai-ding Sdiool .' 115 

The Russell l^rivatc S.diooi 116 

The Kcmplon School 117 

Public Schools 117 

Acushnet High School Privileges 135 

Pnl)lic School Teachers 137 

State Officials 142 

A \'aliiable Public Lilir;ii\\- I<\-i\-or 144 



The ToAvu Free Libraiy 146 

Thomas Hersom & Co. 's Soap Factory 147 

Town Houses 148 

Town Meeting Orders / 151 

Indian Trails and Highways 153 

Corners 154 

Highway Names and Layouts 155 

Macadam Highways 157 

Bridges 159 

Postal Facilities 161 

The Liquor Traffic 164 

Fire Department 165 

Debt, Death and Taxes 170 

Industries of the Town 171 

Cushman's Box Factory 171 

Block Factory 173 

Acushnet Saw Mill Co 173 

White 's Cotton Factory 175 

Whelden Cotton Factory 176 

Ansel White Cotton Factory 176 

Iron Mine, Bloomary Forge and Mill 177 

Taber's Mills 177 

Blacksmith Shops 177 

Apothecary Shop 178 

Grocery and Variety Stores 178 

Stove and Tin Shops and Tin Peddlers 181 

Industries on the Mill Lot 182 

Other Industries 182 

Acushnet in the Lead 184 

New Bedford's First Domestic Water Supply 185 

Census of the Town 186 

Revolutionary War Soldiers 186 

Roll of Honor of Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War 191 

Whaling Masters and Whalers 195 

Precinct Church at Acushnet Village 199 

Methodist Episcopal Church at Acushnet Village 210 

Pastors 213 

Methodist Episcopal Church at Long Plain 215 

Friends' Meeting at Parting Ways 217 

First Baptist Church at Long Plain 221 

Friends' Society at Long Plain 225 

The First Christian Church of Nt)rth Fairhaven 227 

Present Baptist Church at Long Plain 229 

The Perry Hill Christian Church 230 



The Advent Kcliuious .Society 232 

Congregational Chnrch at Acushnet Village 233 

The Lewis Meeting House 235 

Cemeteries 238 

Precinct Cenii'ti'i\\ 238 

Ancient I.ihil; I'hiiii ('emeter\- 254 

Other Cemeteries 257 

Praying Indians 258 

Biographical Sk-ctehes 2fi0 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



Page 

Antipas Hathaway Ilousr 28 

Mason Tahci- Tavcfii 25 

Sands Wing- House -^ 



'& 



_:( 



Dr. T()l)ey House 28 

Dr. Samuel West House .SO 

Jonathan Swift House 32 

KeulxMi ^lason House 34 

eTudye Spooner House 35 

Jenney-]\Iorse House 37 

Spooner-Bradfoi-d House 3i) 

Captain Humphrey Hatha wa\- House 4() 

Sanuie! S])rague House 42 

Walter Spooner House 43 

Steph(Mi Hathaway House 44 

Summerton House 46 

Old Wind Mill 48 

Chinuiey of the West House. Seontieut Neck. Fairhaveu 50 

IJuildiugs on the Tri.ingle 57 

Aeushnet River 61 

Ruins of Whelden Cotton h'aetory 62 

Thomas Wood House 80 

Jabez Taber Tavern 81 

Residence of Thomas Hersom. Sr 94 

Residence of Jean B. Jean 95 

Residence of Mrs. C. C. D. Gilmore 96 

Residence of Horatio N. Wilbur 98 

Residence of Edwin D. Douglass, Philadelphia 99 

Fairhaven Road 100 

Residence of Joseph T. Browned 102 

Residence of Frankly n Howlaiul 115 

A Little Red Schoolhouse 128 

Town House and Library 132 

Long Plain Schoolhouse 133 

Schoolhouse at Parting Ways 134 

High School Building at Fairhaven 136 

Millic^nt Library of Fairhaven. .Mass 145 

First Trustees of the Aeushnet Library 146 

Hersom 's Soap Faetoi-y 147 

Lund 's Corner 155 



New Bedford and Fairhaveii Bridge 160 

Rural Free Delivery No. 1 162 

■Rural Free Delivery No. 2. 163 

Haueock Engine No. 9 168 

Cushman 's Box Factory 172 

Acushnet Saw Mill 174 

Richard Davis' Variety Store 180 

AVhaling Scenes in AVhalini;' 'I'inics 195 

Whaler Outward Hound 197 

The Precinct fleeting House 203 

Methodist Ei)iscoi>al Church at Acushnet Village 211 

.Interior of .Met Inidist Ki^iscdpal ( 'hun-h 212 

Present .Mdlmdist Episcoj);!! Chui-ch al Acushnet \'illage 214 

]\Ietho(list Episcopal Church and Parsonage at Long Plain 216 

Foi-nier Friends' Meeting House at Parting Ways 217 

liilerioi- of an ( )ld Time fleeting House 218 

Present Friends" Meeting House at Parting Ways 220 

Friends' ^Meeting House at Long Phiin 226 

Baptist Church at Long Plain 220 

Christian Church at Perry Hill 231 

Chapel of the Advent Society 232 

Congregational Church al Acushnet \'illage ; 234 



HISTORY OF ACUSHNET 



The beginning of the history of Acushnet would properly be the date 
of the incorporation of the Township in 1860, the year before the Civil 
war. It will, however, add to the interest of this work, to give in a con- 
densed form some of the important historical events and instances leading 
from the date of the discovery of "Dartmouth plantations," of which the 
present town of Acushnet was once a part. Acushnet is one of the 
youngest and among the smallest in area of all the towns in the Common- 
wealth of Massachusetts, but its inhabitation by the English dates back 
almost to the arrival of the Mayflower. Its history covers a large space 
of time and includes much of interest to those whose homes, and the 
homes of their ancestors have been within its borders. 

DISCOVERY No one knows when the human race first saw the forests 
and shores of old Dartmouth plantations, of which Acush- 
net is a part. They were no doubt of the race of Aborigines who occupied 
the land when the first Anglo-Saxon came here. When the first white 
man appeared here is also unknown. But as early as A. D. 1000, writes 
Joshua T. Smith in "American Antiquities," Greenlanders came into 
Buzzards Bay and lived here, much of the time for ten years, probably in 
their vessels and on the west shore of the bay. It is said they were 
engaged in trading with the Indians, with whom they were evidently on 
friendly terms. And it is very reasonable to believe the Greenlanders in 
the many years they lived here explored the region surrounding the 
"Head-of-Acushnet river." Among the persons comprising this company 
of adventurers who were here in 1007 were six women, one of whom 
gave birth that year to a son, who was named Snorri Thorfinnson. He 
is said to have been the ancestor of the celebrated sculptor, Thorwaldsen. 
The first white child to behold the head waters of the Acushnet river in 
our town may have been baby Snorri. 

The first Englishmen that landed upon the delightful shores of Buz- 
zards Bay without doubt were of Bartholomew Gosnold's party of ad- 
venturers, who sailed from Falmouth on the little "Concord," belonging 
to Dartmouth, on the English channel. The}' first anchored off the island 
of Poocutohhunkunnoh (Cuttyhunk) on the morning of May 25, 1602, 
after a passage of just sixty days. They remained here 25 days and 
returned to England. Four days after their arrival they crossed the 
mouth of the bay and landed at or near "Haps Hill." now Round Hills. 



8 

It is Iviiown that later that day they sailed ah)!!": the shore westerly to 
Gooseherry Neck. As near as can be learned this was the day of the first 
visit of a European to the land of ' ' Old Acushena. ' ' On their lauding at the 
place above mentioned Captain Gosnold was met by a i!U!nber of natives, 
men, women and children, "who with all courteous kindness entertained 
them, giving them certain skins of wild beasts, which !iiay be rich fur, 
tobacco, turtles, he!np, artificial strings colored, chaii!s, and such like 
things as at the instant they had about the!n." One of Gosnold 's pa!'ty 
subsequently Avrote "on the !nain la!id there were stately groves, 
fiowery meadows a!!d running brooks. * * * great stores of deer and 
other beast * * *' a!id strawberries as sweet a!!d much bigger than 
in England." This described friendliness of the Indians and luiowledge 
of the country leads o!ie to believe that in the twenty days they spent 
here they visited the la!id of modern Acushnet. This was a quarter of a 
centu!"y before the Pilgrims were here. Representatives of the Pilgrims 
made their first visit to IMassasoit. the Indians' chief at Bristol. R. I., in 
the su!n!ner of 1621, returning a visit he made to them the i)revious March. 
They went through Taunto!i and down the west side of Taunton river. 
No doubt si!nilar official visits were made to him very soon after this, the 
party passing over the "Rhode Isla!id Way," which led through this town. 

"THE CUSHENAGG of the old colony records embraced a section of 
NAIGHBOURHOOD" territory on which resided, when the :\rayflower 

la!ided, three ba!ids of the Wan!panoag tribe of 
Indians, co!nprising a part of the Sachen!don of IMassasoit. These bauds 
were k!iowi! as the "Cushenas, " who lived o!i both sides of the Acushnet 
river, !!ow Acushnet, New Bedford a!!d Fairhaven ; the "Ponegansetts" 
resided whei-e is now the toAvn of Dart!nouth, a!id the "Coaksetts" dwelt 
in the Westport section. All this territory was included in the names 
"Cushenagg Naighbourhood," "Cushena Pla!itatio!!s, " and "Cush!!et 
Country," in the old colo!iy records. The fi!'st !nention of this tract in 
these records-is on page 4. vohnue 2. of tlie ot'Hcial printed copy, page 244 
of the origii!al record, where the bou!ids of this tract are given. Here it 
is called "Acconquesse als Acokens, " which is the only place the writer 
has seen it referred to by the latter name. The former !iame signifies 
Acush!iet a!id the latter Aeoakset. 



THE ALLOTMENT was ina<li' 1.. the IMymmitli |Hnvhase!-s in 1030. 
OF -'CUSHNET" With an rye to lui.siness sonir of the .Mayfiower 

people sought to bargaii! with the Indians for lands 
as soon as they wci'o fairly settled in theii* !iew l!on!e. They succeeded in 
making a verbal eo!!traet for three sections, oi!e of which was this tract, 
Avhicli was called the second of the thr(>e places. These were allotted to 



the purchasers at the court of 1640. The Cushena "place" is thus de- 
scribed in Gov. Bradford's memorandum of it: 

"The 2 place called Acough Couss. which lyeth in y° ])otome of 
ye hay adjoyning to y^ west side of I'oinle Per'ill and 2 miles to y^ 
Westerne side of y« said river to an other place called Acusheute 
river which entereth at y® Westerne end of Macata, and 2 myles to 
y" Eastward thereof, and to extend 8 myles up into y^ coimtrie. " 

A note in the record states that the "chirography is that of Mr. 
Nathaniel Souther Clark of y« Court." Macata was the present West 
Island in Fairhaven; Coakset river is now Westport river; Point Perill 
referred to Gooseberry Neck. 



THE NAME as it is now authorized spelled by the national post office 
ACUSHNET department, is spelled in various ways in writing in both 
ancient and modern times. The following have been 
accurately transcribed by the writer from written and printed matter. 
In deeds, wills, leases and letters, and in church, town and court records. 



acuish 

acuishet 

Acashewah 

Accushnutt 

Accoosnet 

Accuslmett 

Acconquesse 

Accuishnent 

Accushnut 

Accoosnet 

Accusshaueck 

Acoosnet 

Acoshamet 

Acoughcusse 

Acquishneck 

Acquechinook 

Acquissent 

Acquiessent 

Acushmuet 

Acushena 

Acusenah 

Acushna 



Acushnett 

Acusshna 

Acushente 

Acushnet 

Acuquoshnet 

Akusenhe 

Akusenag 

Akushenet 

Akushenat 

Aquechenit 

Aquset 

Aquesnet 

Aqushnot 

Aquechinook 

Asquessent 

Cushenah 

Cushnet 

Cushnagg 

Cushenag 

Cushenett 

Quishnet 



Acushnet is doubtless the word which "William's Kev 



> ? 



gives as 



Aquechinook and Aquechenit, signifying a place to swim or the swimming 
place. The stream was probably a favorite resort of the Indians for this 
purpose. Hence it derives the name Acushnet River, and the surround- 
ing tract, as the "Acushena plantations," etc., and now the town of 



10 

Acushnet. A eoinpuund word to designate this town lias recently come 
to the writer's knowledge. A passenger on a railroad train from Taun- 
ton to New Bedford asked the conductor to put him off at "Goose-neck." 
"No such station," replied the conductor. But the traveler insisted that 
was the tijiiiic ol' the place of his destination, which later proved to be 
Acushnet. 

THIS PURCHASE did iiol fiilh materialize at this time for some unex- 

l)lained reason. The deed was not executed till 
1652. It may safely be inferred tliat the old sachem, ^Nlassasoit, or 
Wesamequen as it is in some places written, conhl not l)e eai"lier brought 
to terms, or jierhaps the ])ands of his trilu' who dwelt in this section were 
unwilling that these delightful luiiiting grounds should be transferred to 
another jjcople and no longer ])e their homes. The transaction, however, 
was finally coiisuiumated, and one of the largest real estate deals ever 
made in Bi'istol ('(tunt\' was accMtniplishcd. 



The following is a cojjy of llw deed from "Wesamequen and his son 
Wamsutta to these first comers ;is found in the Plymouth records: 

Bradford Governour. 

1654. A deed appointed to be l-ecoi'ded. 

New Plynioulli, November the 2I»th, 1652. 

Know^ all men by these present, that I, Wesamequen. and Wam- 
sutta 7uy son. have sold unto ^Ir. William Bradford, Captain Standish. 
Thomas Southworth. .lohii WinsloW. -lolin Cooke aiul their associates, 
the i)ui'ehasei's or old e(uners. all tiie tract (U- tracts of land lying east- 
ward from river ealled Cushenagg. to a certain harl)oui- called 
Acoaksett. to a flat I'ock on the westward side of said harbour. And 
whereas the said hai'hour dividelh itself into several branches the 
western most ai-nie lo he the Itound and all ihe ti'act or tracts of hind 
fi"(un the saitl western most ai-me to the said I'iver of Acusheiiagg. 
thT-e(> miles eastward of tile same, witii all tlu' profits and benefits 
within the said tract, with all the I'ivei-s. creeks, meadows, ni'cks and 
islands that lye in oi- h.efoi'c the same, and iVoni Ihe sea upward to uo 
so high that the Knglish ma\' not he annoxcd h\' the hunting of the 
Indians in any sort of theii- cattle. .\nd 1. \Vesam(M|uen aiul Wam- 
sutta. do ])i'omise to remove all the Indians within a year from the 
date hereof that do live in the said tract. 

And we, the said WesanuMiuen and Wamsutta, have fully bar- 
gained and sold unto the aforesaid 'Mv. William Bradford. Captain 
Standish. Thomas Southwoi-th. -lohn Winslow. John Cooke, and the 
rest of their associates, the imrchasei's (U- old comers, to have and to 
liohl Ini' iheni and their heirs ami assigns forevei". And in eoi'isidi 



le 



11 

tion hereof, we the above mentioned are to pay to the said Wesame- 
(jueii and Wanisutta as followeth : 

30 yards of cloth 1 cloak 

8 moose skins 2 £ in Wampan* 

15 axes 8 pair stockings 

15 hoes 8 pair of shoes 

15 pair of breeches 1 iron pot 
8 blankets and 

2 kettles 10 shillings in another comoditie 
And in witness hereof we have interchangeably set onr hands 
the day and year above written. 

T ,, „ \ John Winslow 

In the presence ot j T } P L- 

Jonathan Shaw / "is 

I Wamsntta MM 

Samuel Eddy / Mark 

Here are the names of the original purchasers of this valuable tract 
of land which was subsequently the original township of Dartmouth, each 
person having "one whole share," excepting Messrs. Collyer, Plowland 
and Bassett and Sarah Brewster, who had a half share each. 
Mr. William Bradford Steven Tracye 

Captain Standish John Faunce 

Mr. John Alden Henry Sampson 

Mr. Collyer and Sarah Brewster Philip Delanoye 
Mr. Howland and William Bassett Mrs. Warren 
George Morton Robert Bartlett 

Manasses Kempton William Palmer 

James Hurst Edward Dotye 

John Dunham Sen'r Samuel Hickes 

John Shaw Sen'r Peter Browne 

Francis Cooke Francis Sprague 

John Cooke Moses Simons 

Joshua Pratt Samuel Eaton 

John Soule Thomas Morton 

Constant Southworth Samuel Cuthbert 

Thomas Southworth Edward Holman 

Miss Jennings Edward Bumpass 

A subsequent record states that it was "Mr. Robert Hickes," and not 
his son "Samuel" who was one of the purchasers. 



*WOMPOM (plural WOMPOMPEAG) was the Indian name for the WHITE beads 
used as currency, or for the payment of tribute from tribe to tribe; from W^OMPI, 
white. The court of 1640 fixed the price of Wampum as currency at 6 for a penny, 



*WOMPOM (plural WOMPOMPEAG) was the Indian name for the WHITE beads 
as currency, or for tlie payment nf ti-ihuto fi-om ffnio tr\ t»-i)-.o- f»-rvm i^T^r^ATTDT 

e. The court of 1640 fixed th 

about 300 to a dollar; 1.500 to a -p. 

What "Another comoditie" which was given in part payment in this bargain 
with the two Indians consisted of no records disclose. W^e are left to conjecture 
what the medium was. It may have been "fire water," of which the average Indian 
was very fond. Old Wesamequen preferred it should be recorded a "comoditie" to 
conceal its identity. 



12 

The "Mr. Ilowland" named in the above list was John Rowland of 
the ]\Iayfiower. John sold his share in 1667. He never resided here. 

This syndicate's purchase comprised an area of over 115,000 acres. 
Consequently "^liss Jennings" and Mrs. Warren possessed more than 
3000 acres each. There were women who were hirge land owners before 
the advent of the famous Hetty Cireen. The payment made seems very 
little, comparatively, tor so large a tract — one of the most valuable in 
the colony. i\Iany a single rod within the liounds of this purchase is now 
valued at a greater sum than was paid for all these acres. 

THE FIRST COMERS Immediately after the colonists came into pos- 
TO OLD CUSHENA session of this tract in Iti.l^. people began to 

migrate here from their Plymouth and Duxbury 
homes. Very few of the 36 original purchasers, however, came here to 
live. They evidently bought the land on specuhition and "uidoaded", 
as brokers say, to those who were seeking pernuinent lu)mes outside the 
shades of Plymouth. It seems clear, however, that the following of the 
above grantees resided in Old I)artnu)uth : John Cooke, Sanuiel Ilickes, 
Will jam Palmer. Sannud Cuthbert. and "Miss Jennings." There is no 
valid evidence that any other of the purchasers lived here, but it is evident 
their childi-en did. The first settlers, who were relatives and friends of 
•loliii Cooke, located IioiiicsIckIs in ])resent Acushnet aiul Fairhaven, 
aiul at this time no other j)art of the purchase was occupied. Henry 
B. Worth is satisfied that this section of Old Dartmouth appro})riated 
by settlers from Plymouth remained in their possession foi- nearly a 
century, and indeed, every family except the Sowle's and ^lacomber's 
which came from other })arts of the Old Colony settled in this section and 
none except a West and ;i Tal)ei' settled in this i-egion fi'om any other 
part of Xew England. 

Henry 1 lowland's family wei'e in the Ponegansett section in 1()()2. 
The Kussells and iSlocums were there before 1664; and at this date the 
Tabers. Spooners, Ilathaways and Popes Avere engaged in establishing 
piiiiiit i\(' homes, starting luisiness enterprises and cultivating the soil in 
the tract I'ast oi" the Aeiisliiiel river. 

Of the above, John Cooke, son of Francis of the Mayfiower. lived a 
few rods southeast ol' Oxford sehoollioiise. Fairhaven. 

S.iliiiiel lliekes I'esided ;it XewLilids Xi'ck in the solllhe;is1 p;irt of 

Fail-haven. 

William Palmei- owned land and possibly resided tliereon situated 
south of the steam I'ailway. Kaii-lia\cn. exten<Iiii<_; from the I'ivei" east. 

"Miss Jennings', widow ol' -lohn .leiine. it is my belii'f. resided for 
a time in tlie family of her son Sanuiel neai- Pai'ting Ways. 

Sanmel Cnthliert's home was at tlie liead of Sconticut neck road in 
Fairhaven. 



13 



Book 5 of Plymouth Court Orders gives the following exact list of 
all free men in Dartmouth on the 29th May 1670 : 

John Cook William Spooner 

John Russell Samuel Ilickes 

James Shaw William Palmer 

Arthur Ilatheway 

William Spooner 's homestead indudtMl Riverside cemetery, the Dana 
farm and more, in Fairhaven. 

Arthur Hathaway, the progenitor of all the Hat iia ways hereabout, 
lived where the Stephen Hathaway house, so called, stands in this town, 
on the east side of Fairhaven road. 

James Shaw lived between the railroad in Fairhaven and Fort 
Phenix. He was appointed a "drill Sergeant" by Plymouth Court. 

John Russell's home was in the present town of Dartmouth near 
the famous Russell's garrison house, which he constructed. 

It appears from the Old Colony records that in 1694 the 56 persons 
named below, possessed all the purchase of 1652. None of these, however, 
were among the original purchasers. Probably all of them lived in what 
was then the town of Dartmouth. Those marked with a * had homes 
within the bounds of this town of Acushnet. Here are the names of this 
list of 56 owners: 



iNIanasseh Kempton 

Seth Pope 

John Russell 

Arthur Hathaway* 

Peleg Slocum 

Stephen West 

James Sisson 

John Russell, Jr. 

Abraham Tucker 

John Tucker 

Thomas Briggs 

Jonathan Russell 
John Hathaway* 
George Cadman 
Jacob Mott 
Eleazer Smith 
Return Babcock 
Benjamin Howland 
William Sheannan 
Thomas Taber 
Jonathan Delano 
Joseph Russell 
Stephen Peckham 



Mary Davis 

Thomas Taber, Jr. 

Lettice Jenney 

Samuel Allen 

Valentine Huddlestone 

Edmund Shearman 

Samuel Jenney* 

Mark Jenney 

Aaron Davis 

Giles Slocum 

Ralph Earl, Jr. 

William Earl, son of R. E. 

John Shearman 

Samuel Spooner* 

John Spooner, Jr.* 

John Spooner* 

Thomas Mitchell 

John Tinkham 

Joseph Tripp 

James Tripp 

AVilliam ]\Iaeomber 

Samuel Cornwell 

Samuel Shearman 



14 

Isaac Po[)e Gersham Smith 

Eleazer Slociim Samuel Hickes 

John Lapham Elizabeth Ricketson 

Joseph Ripley Joseph Taber* 

Daniel Sherman 

Other records, however, show conclusively that in addition to the 
al)ove list the foUoAvinjr persons also owned real estate here at that date, 
16!J4, namely: John Almy, William Corey, Thomas LaAvton, Thomas 
Waite, Richard Ward, William (Jifford, Richard Kirby, John Aiken, and 
IMatthew Allen. 

THE PIONEER of Acushnet were anion*; the Plymouth colonists who 
SETTLERS firmly resisted for conscientious reasons the civil court 

requirements in relation to the support of a i)ublicly 
elected and paid ministry and compulsion of attendance upon the religious 
services of the Puritan church. They were generally a profoundly 
religious people and early provided here for public church worship, for 
the strict observance of the Lord's day and for rigid enforcement of and 
obedience to the civil laws of the community. This subject will be treated 
at length under "Earl\- Religious History." 

When these "first comers" to this place of refuge decided to make 
i:ew homes for themselves here, the outlook nuist have been discouraging 
and pitiful. Xo language can describe the feelings that must have pos- 
sessed these home makers as they parted fi-oni old neighbors, friends and 
relatives at I'lyitioutli ;iii(l ciiine up ovei- the hniely Indian trail to this 
foi-liidding territory of forests and Indians, and wild beasts, lint onward 
they firmly nuirched, their valiant hearts filled with the sublime sentiment 
of these poc^tic words of the Quak<'r poet, Whittiei-: 

"()! si>eetl the moment on 
When Wrong shall cease — and Libei'ty and Love 
And Truth, aiul Right throughout the earth be Known, 
As in their home above." 

Uut these sturdy, courageous, frugal men and women endured the 
suffering, privations and hardships that beset them on every hand, and 
bravely overcame the tremendous obstacles that laid athwart their 
pathways. 

It is probable that the men of these families had made preparaticms 
here in advance for this exodus by clearing places in the forest for their 
new homes and erecting thereon I'ude cabins and furni.shing them as best 
they could. 

THE BIRTH The original township of Dartmouth of which pres- 

OF DARTMOUTH enl Aenshnet was then a part, was born with very 

i)rief ot'tieial ceremony by the I My mouth Court of 
June 8, 1(304. Here is an exact copy of the Coui'l order: 



15 



( i 



'Att this Court. All that tracte of land coiimionly called and 
knowiie by the name of Aciishena, Ponagansett and Coaksett is 
allowed by the Court to bee a townshipe ; and the inhabitants thereof 
have libertie to make such orders as may (^onduee to theire comon 
good in towne consernments; and that the said towne bee henceforth 
called and knowne by the name of Dartmouth."- 

THE INDIAN WAR The stipulations of Wesame(|uen and Wamsutta 

in the deed of this tract that "the English may 
not be annoyed by the hunting of the Indians in any sort or their cattle," 
and their "promise to remove all Indians within a year that do live on the 
said tract," and Massasoit's dying injunction to his sons Alexander and 
Phili]) to continue in i"riendl3^ relations with the English, were little 
heeded by the former and violated in a most savage, inhuman manner 
by the latter, resulting in the direful Indian war. The spark which finally 
ignited the war spirit into a fierce and prolonged deadly flame, was the 
murder of Sassamon, one of the Seaconet band, near his residence on 
Assawampset neck, in Lakeville. Sassamon was an educated Indian, a 
convert to the Christian religion, spoke English fluently and was at one 
time a school teacher. Later he became the private seeretarv of King 
Philip, where he learned of treacherous plotting of the chief against 
the English. Subsequently his interest in the safety and w^elfare of the 
people at Plymouth led him to reveal to the authorities there the hostile 
intentions of King Philip. He gave this priceless information under a 
pledge of absolute secrecy, knowing that King Philip would take his life 
if he knew what he had done. Alas, some one wickedly betrayed this 
misplaced trust. Philip soon learned that the Plymouth government 
had heard something to his discredit. He was summoned to appear before 
them but refused to obey the command. A little later, Jan. 29, 1675, a 
hat and gun were found on the ice on Assawampsett lake and brave 
Sassamon 's body laid under the ice near by where the}^ were found. He 
had been murdered, no doubt at the edict of King Philip. 

The Avar cloud darkened all through the spring of 1675. The white 
settlers Avere made aware of the impending peril. For an illustration: 
One day an Indian was hoeing in a field on the Stephen Hathaway farm 
on Fairhaven road in this town, w^hen a strange Indian came to him and 
told him King Philip had decided to commence war against the English. 
The workman immediately ceased his work and left his employer, who 
rightfully suspected his reason for so doing. A few days later the tocsin 
of war sounded, and open hostilities commenced. On Tuesday, the 12th 
day of June, 1675, Captain Benjamin Church with his English and 
Indian soldiers commenced the pursuit of King Philip, Avhich was cour- 
ageously continued till his capture by them near his lair on Saturday, the 
12th day of August, 1676. 

The contest at once assumed a most barbarous and inhuman char- 



IG 

acter. A month later, near the end of July, the savag:e hoard resorted 
to the torch and tomahawk. Nearly all the dwellings of the white settlers 
of Old Dartmouth, including present Acushnet, were reduced to ashes; 
crops were destroyed ; domestic animals were killed or stolen ; men, 
women and children were murdered. Complete devastation was their 
wicked intent and the pitiful result. Had it not be^n for the protection 
afforded hy tlie garrison or block house which had been providentially 
erected for emergency, not a white settler would have been spared to 
relate the details of that horrible catastrophe. John Cooke's garrison 
stood on the north side of Rowland road, 600 feet west of ]Main street, 
Fairhaven ; Russell's garrison was at Apponegansett, and there was one 
on Palmer's island. Another garrison house was that of Thomas Pope 
near. his residence, which was a log cabin built by him soon after he came 
here and was situated on the west side of the Sconticut neck road, a 
few hundred feet south of the highway to Mattapoisett. 

A garrison house was a neighborhood resort built in the midst of 
Indian settlements. They were often large buildings, sufficient to afford 
shelter from the elements. These were surrounded by a bullet proof 
stockade, or what was termed a palisado of heavy close-fitting logs. To 
these the settlers resorted for protection in the hour of danger. 

Cooke's block house was the only place of safety for the residents 
within present Acushnet bounds from the tomahawks and scalping knives 
of the savages, and to this haven, to this place of refuge, they hastily 
tied from their cabins at the first alarm, over the lonely forest paths and 
Indian trails, and here the brave settlers defended and saved the lives of 
their loved ones with their matchlock weapons. Some were slain on their 
way to these life saving resorts. Jacob Mitchell, an ensign bearer of the 
Dartmouth militia in 1673, who resided at the head of Sconticut Neck 
road in Fairhaven. started with his wife for the block house of John 
Cooke, for safety. Their road led them around the east side of the tide 
mill pond, which now is a park. They had proceeded but a few" rods from 
their house when they were both shot dead. Their bodies were subse- 
quently found and buried by their friends at the foot of a pear tree, which 
was on the spot where the former Unitarian church (now a schoolliouse) 
stands. The Indians burned the house later. It is also recorded that 
William Palmer, who lived in the vicinity of Fort Phenix, was murdered 
like the Mitchells. He was probably fleeing to either Cooke's or Pope's 
garrison house for protection from this cruel horde. 

The fact that John Cooke's dwelling house, which stood within gun 
shol of his garrison, was sacked and burned at this time by the savages, 
is a slight indication of their courage and fei"ocit\'. Xo [umi can describe, 
no human mind can conceive the feeling of despair which must have filled 
the hearts of this homeless, harassed, terror-stricken company when this 
horrible event ended. How different the map and history of Acushnet 



17 

but for Cooke's block house and the marvelous heroism of this little but 
mighty l)and. It may be they recalled the promise of their Heavenly 
Father to Joshua: "As I was with Moses so I will be with thee," and 
believed it was for them in this hour of extreme need of divine aid and 
protection, and this stimulated to superhuman effort. 
Drake, in describing this terrible event, says : 

"Tliey burnt nearly thirty houses in Dartmouth, killing many 
l)e()ple after a most barl)arous manner, as skinning them all over 
alive, some only their heads, cutting off their hands and feet; but 
anv woman they took alive they defiled, afterwards putting her to 
death." 

Rev. Increase Mather wrote in 1676 that: 

"Dartmouth did they burn with fire, and barbarously murdered 
both men and women; stripping the slain, whether men or women, 
' and leaving them in the open field. Such, also, is their inhunianity 
as that they fiay oft" the skin from their faces and heads of those 
they got into their hands, and go away with the hairy scalp of their 
enemies. ' ' 

Every house within the bound of present Acushnet was consumed by 
fire. These people had been here but a little while, none of them more 
than 25 years, and now they were homeless and almost penniless, in the 
midst of barbarous war. These men, women and children were in a heart- 
rending, pitiful condition. 

This act of dreadful slaughter and sweeping devastation excited the 
sympathy of the people at Plymouth. This was publicly manifested by 
an order of the General Court of Oct. 4, 1675, that : 

"The 11th instant shall be observed as a day of fasting and 
prayer by reason of the Indians, theire psisting on in theire hos- 
tillitie and barbarous creweltie and outrage against the English. 
That during the time of publicke danger, every one that comes to the 
meeting on the Lord's day bring his amies with him, and furnished 
with att least six charges of powder and shott, ui^til further order 
shall be given under the penaltie of 2 s for every such defect. 

The same court, after declaring that it was a "dispensation from 
God in suft'ering the barbarous heathen to spoile and destroy most of 
theire habitations, ' ' ordered : 

"That in the rebuilding or resettleing thereof, that they soe order 
it as to live compact together, att least in each village as they may be 
in a capassitie both to defend themselves from the assault of an 
enemie and the better to attend the publicke worship of God, and 
miunestry of the word of God, whose carelesnes to obtain and at- 
tend unto, wee fear, may have bine a provocation of God thus to 
chastise theire contempt of his gospell, which wee earnestly desire 
the pe()])le of that place may seriously consider off', lay to hart, and 
be humbled for, with a sollisitus indeavor after a reformation th-ereof 
by a vigorous puting forth to obtaine an able, faithfull dispenser of 
the word of God amongst them." 

As painful as the circumstances were that lirought forth this expres- 
sion of sympathy, the court could not allow the opportunity to chastise 



18 

the people for dereliction of duty in not choosing a minister of the »>ospel 
by civil process, to pass without doing so. 

Captain Benjamin Church and his band of faithfid soldiers were in 
Acushnet man}' times in his search for King Philip. One of these expedi- 
tions from Plymouth occurred about the 20th of July, 1675, a few weeks 
after the town was burned, when Chui'ch started out with "18 
Phigifh and 22 Indians." They marched to ]\Iiddleboro over 
the much used Indian trail. Here they met the enemy and 
in an engagement ('a])tnred about 16 of them, sending them 
under guard lo Plymouth. Captain Church planned to s|)eii(l the night 
on Assawampsett Neck. He proceeded along the trail. Avhicli is now the 
main highway from ^IMiddleboro to Acushnet village, unmolested till he 
reached the brook which crosses the i-oad a little south of "Sampson's 
Tavern."" where was then a thick swamj). Here '"the enemy fii-ed uyton 
them, but hurt not a man,"" wrote (*aptain ('liurch. He continues thus in 
describing this expedition : 

" C'hiirclics Indians ran right into the swamp and fired upon the 
Enemy, but it being in the dusk of the Evening, the Enemy made 
their efcape in the thickets: The Captain then moving about 
a Mile into the Neck, took advantage of a fmall Valley to feed his 
ITorfes : fcHue held the Ilorfes by the Bridl(>s. the reft on the guard 
look'd fharp out for the Eiu^my, within hearing on every fide, and 
fome very near; but in the dead of the Night, the Enemy being- 
out of hearing, or ftill, Capt. ('hmrJi moved out of the Neck (not the 
fame way he came in. leaft he fhould be Ambufcado'd) toward 
Ciifliiiet, where all the Houfes were ])urnt : and ci-offing Cuflniet 
Hirer, being extreandy fategucd. with two .\ights and one Days 
rand)le without Reft or Sleep; and otl'ering good forage for theii- 
Ilorfes, th(^ Captain concluded upon baiting, and taking a Xaj). Set- 
ting Six i\Ien to watch the ])affage of the River, two to watch at a 
time, while the others fh'i)t, & fo to take theii' turns; while the reft 
of the Company went into a thicket to Sleep under the guard of two 
Sentinels more. But the whole Company lieing very drowfy, foon 
forgot their danger, ami were faff a-fleep. Sentim>ls. and all. 'I'he 
Captain fii-ft awakes, looks u]i, and judges he had flept four 
Hours, which being longer than he defigned, immediately routes his 
Company, ami fends away a tile to fee what were become of the 
watch at the ])affag(> of the River, but they no fooner ojieiu'd the 
Kiver in fight, but they tlifcovered a comi)any of tlie Enemy view- 
ing of their tracts, where they came into the Neck ; Captain Church 
and thofe with him foon difpers'd into the brufh on each fide of the 
wa>'. while the file fent. got undifcovered to the paffag(» of the River, 
and foutul their watch all fait a fleep : but tlud'e Tidings thoroughly 
awakened llie whole Company. But the IOneni\- giving them no 
lu-elent dirtnrhance, Ilu\v examined their Snai)facks, and taking a 
little relVeriimeut, the Captain oi-ders one paity to guard th" Ilorfes, 
and the other to Scout. '" 

It will lie ol)st'rved thai Church's band entered the town 1)\- the 
present ]\Iiddleboro road, and in the writer's judgment marched south- 



19 

ward np Braley hill, thr()u;u,h Long- Plain down to Tai-ting Waj's, thence 
westward into the viUage. They bivouaeed near the bridge where 
Capt. Church took a "four Hours Nap." Here they were near the 
"Acushnet great swamp," west of Acushnet village. This was a favorite 
lurking place for King Philip's men. From here they sallied out, com- 
mitted theft and other depredations, and returned to cover. It was an 
unsafe place to pursue them. 

From Acushnet village they scouted over the spot where the city of 
Xew Bedford now is. Then they proceeded down to the head of Ap- 
ponegansett river, and near Russell's garrison "they clap'd into a thicket 
and there lodg'd the reft of the Night without any fire; and upon the 
Morning light appearing" they started out towards the Great Cedar 
Swamp. At the south side of the swamp, near Smith JMills, the company 
divided ; the Indian soldiers were to march around the west side and the 
English soldiers, with Captain Church, along the east side of the swamp. 
The "ruins of John Cooke's house" at Oxford was the appointed meet- 
ing place. On reaching the vicinity of the bridge in Acushnet village, 
where Church crossed the river the day before, Church met an old Indian 
woman whom he knew, who had been driven from her home on Rhode 
Island by some of Philip's band. She said the cedar swamp was full of 
Indians and a number of them were then down on Sconticut Neck, 
"whither they went to kill Cattel and Horfes for Provifions for the com- 
pany." Captain Church asked her where they crossed the river. Church 
writes that in reply to this query, "She pointed to the upper paffing 
place."* They followed the trail to Parting Ways, thence southward 
over Fairhaven road in this town, "down into the neck." "Thereupon," 
Church writes, "I crossed the River fo low down" that this band of 
marauders "should not meet wdth our Tracks on their return." He then 
proceeded along the east bank of the Acushnet river to "Cooke's ruins." 
Church's Indians reached there "late in the Night with their booty, 
and when they compared their Succeffes" it was found that each 
division of soldiers had killed three of the enemy and captured 63 pris- 
oners. The next day Church started for Plymouth with his "booty." 
King Philip made preparations to intercept Church at Assawampsett, 
believing Church would return the way he came. Church, anticipating 
this, took the trail through Mattapoisett and Marion, out-generaling the 
sagacious Philip. 

There can be no question that Captain Church's family also passed 

*After very careful research tl^e writer feels absolutely sure that the Indian 
trail leading tiirough Acushnet village crossed the river where the bridge now is. 
This crossing was called bv the Indians and early white settlers "the upper passing 
place." This indicates that there was a public crossing lower down the river known 
as "The lower passing place." It is reasonable to infer that such a crossing of the 
river existed to accommodate the Indians from Cape Cod and lower Marion on their 
visits to their people at the westward, thereby saving the journey to the ' upper 
passing place." In the writer's iudgment this crossing was where Coggeshall street 
bridge now is. There was no way where Main street now is below Oxford school- 
house. The trail was where Adarns street now is and northward to Parting W'ays. 
From this I think the trail from Adams street westward to the "Lower passing place" 
was over or very near the location of the present Howland road, a few feet south 
of Cooke's garrison house. 



20 

tliroiigli this town when they were moving from Duxbury to Portsmouth, 
R. I., in March, 1676, in the midst of the war. Eight weeks later their 
son, Constant, was born at the latter place. 

That Captain Church and his company marched through this town on 
his way to and from the capture of King Philip appears clear to the 
writer. He states that from Plymouth they "Marched thro' the Woods 
till they came to Pocaffet, " (Tiverton). Here they crossed the river at 
Rowland's ferry. From there he rode down to Portsmouth to see his 
wife. He wrote that she "no fooner faw him but f anted with the 
furprize." This was just at nightfall on Friday, Aug. 11. 1676. He at 
once received information that King Pliilip was over at "Mount-hope," 
near Bristol, R. I. Impatient to secure the Chief, he wrote that he "told 
hif Wife that fhe muft content herfelf with a fhort vifit. when fuch game 
was a-head ; they immediately Mounted, fet Spurs to their Horfes, and 
away." King Philip was killed the next forenoon and his head was 
borne in triumph that Saturday afternoon to the presence of Church's 
wife. The following Tuesday the captors "ranged thro' all the Woods to 
Plymouth." This triumphant march of the victors with the long sought 
head of the cruel chief Avas doubtless through this town, over "The 
Rhode Island \\ay. ' ' * 

The capture of King Philip i)ractically ended the Indian war, but the 
people on the territory of this town did not recover from the crushing 
shock for a quarter of a century. A year elapsed from the burning of 
the dwellings till King Phili]) was captured. IMonths of terrible 
suspense; a winter of pitiful suffering. In the narrative of the war 
written by Cai)tain Church lie makes no mention of seeing a white settler 
in old Dartmouth during the entire period of 14 months of hostilities. It 
was estimated that the war cost the English $750,000, that 600 houses 
were destroyed and 600 persons were slain in the towns where the war 
existed. 

"I hear even now the infinite fierce chorus, 

The cries of agony, the endless groan 
Which through the ages that have gone before us, 

In long reverberations reach our own. 

****** 

The tumult of each sacked and burning village, 

The shout that each prayer for mercy drowns, 
The Indians' revel in the midst of pillage. 

The wail of famine in beleauured towns." 



♦Church mention.s Imt two general routes over which he passed in liis inarches 
from Plymontli to tlic Mt. Hope country. Both of these wt-re over the much used 
one up to Midcnehoro. and from there eittier thi-ous"li Taunton and down ttie west 
side of tln' Taunton rixcr; or from Middli'boio soutlicrly do\vn Assawampsctt neck 
to T>ong- I'hiin, down to Parting- Ways, thence westerly over Acushnet village 
bridge. Tarkiln Hin road and Hatliaway road, Sinitli Mills. Howland ferry (now 
Stone bridgr) to IJri.stoI. tlie headcniarters of Massasoit. 'I'liis route. I am satis- 
fied was the cliicf one, tlie main Indian trail from Plymoutli to Bri.stol. Tliis was 
wluit was tlien known on Uliod(> Island as "'I'liro tlie woods" to Pl.vmouth to dis- 
tins'uisli it from tlie Taunton route tlirougli a more numerously settled and less 
woody country. 1 am t'onvinced it is wliat is now known as "The Riiode Island 
Way." It is the route Captain Churcli wrote that he took in July, 1675. A very 
ancient land recoi-d names "Peaked" rock, wliicli is in Acuslinet near tliis old Indian 
trail, as "standing" by the path that leads from Dartmouth to Plymouth. 



21 

In consequence of the fearful suffering and loss of property during 
the war and the necessity of their continual maintenance of garrisons, the 
inhabitants of Dartmouth were not required by the authorities of Ply- 
mouth to furnish soldiers for the war and were also exempted from 
taxation for several years after its close. 

This sickening event was the beginning of the extermination of the 
Indians from this locality. Many went elsewhere. Others remained and 
became civilized, educated and Christianized on a reservation of about 
one acre located on the west side of the road on Sconticut neck. Fair- 
haven, about a quarter of a mile south of the present chapel. The last 
individual of this once ])owerful and nol)le people living within the bounds 
of Old Dartmouth was IMartha Simon. She resided in a small house there 
alone the later part of her life, supported largely by the sympathetic 
generosity of her neighbors, till her enfeebled and destitute condition 
caused her to be removed to the town almshouse, where she remained till 
she died, about 1855. 

The burying ground of these last civilized Indians is on the east side 
of the Neck about one and a quarter miles south of the Mattapoisett road, 
close to the shore. At one time beneath a solitary clump of oaks, which 
had been sacredly preserved, were a number of headstones. But the 
oaks have been cut down; the stones have been removed; the mounds 
have been leveled, and all traces of this hallowed spot have disappeared. 
Among the headstones were those of the Simon family, which was the 
last of that people. There was William and Abigail, his wife, each aged 
about 75; "Ben" and Jacob, who were over 100; Stephen and Sally 
and their son Isaac. 

Here they buried Martha. 

"Like the shadows in the stream, 

Like the Evanescent gleam 

Of the twilight's failing blaze; 

Like the fleeting years and days. 

Like all things that soon decay. 

Passed this Indian tribe away." 

OLD HOUSES of an early settled town, and a knowledge of the names 
of the various owners of them and the land on which 
they stand is an interesting and valuable portion of its history. It 
enables descendants of early residents to locate their abodes, and to 
realize more fully and satisfactorily the surroundings and the interior and 
exterior of the birthplaces and homes of their ancestors. As already 
stated, all the dwellings in old Dartmouth were destroyed in the Indian 
holocaust of 1675. IMany of these were on the east side of the Acushnet 
river, and were doubtless log cabins. Most of the structures that replaced 
them were probably of the same character, as these pioneers had little 
money and few facilities with which to build anything of a better quality 
or more modern description. Numerous foundations are now in exist- 



^2 

6nee on which stood these primitive dwellings, which served as the family 
home till the possession of money and saw mills and other aids enabled 
the people to erect framed and shingled buildings, with glass windows. 
The location of the foundations of some of these is given in a subsequent 
article on "Highways." 

With the saw mills and other building, facilities came the small 
frame houses. At first most of these had chimneys built of wood and 
clay, and later of flat stones and mortar, and great fireplaces with bake 
ovens attached. 

About the year 1700 there commenced to appear more attractive 
dwellings of two stories. Some of these were built with the second story 
jutting out a foot or more over the lower story, and occasionally one may 
be seen now with the attic jutting over the second story. This was called 
the "overhang" style. It is claimed the object of this peculiar construc- 
tion was to provide a convenient place to shoot from to repel the Indians. 
The fact is, however, the overhanging form was an English plan of build- 
ing in the days of Queen Elizabeth. There was also the "leanto, " or more 
commonly called the "lenter" structure. These were of two or three 
stories in front with a peaked roof, having a long slope to rear, where 
there was but one story in height. Many of the houses in those days 
fronted the south, regardless of the location of the roadway. Such are 
standing in Acushnet today. 

A popular roof form all over New England a century and a half 
ago was the gambrel roof. It was so named from the resemblance of the 
double sloped roof to the hind leg of a horse, or to a stick called a gam- 
brel, used by butchers to suspend a slaughtered animal. A few of this 
style of houses still stand in our town and are among the pleasing road- 
side features. This was the most picturesque and lasting style of the 
above named. Many houses of this pattern, some very expensive ones, 
are being erected at this time. There are more dwellings which were 
erected previous to 1750 standing in Acushnet at this date, in proportion 
to the total number of houses, than in any town in Bristol county. 

This appears to be the chronological position in this book to describe 
some of these attractive old houses, and the writer is pleased to be able 
to give half-tone reproductions from photographs by Fred W. 
Palmer of New Bedford, of a few of these old dwellings, which, if they 
possessed the power of speech and memory, could thousands of interesting 
and entertaining tales luifold. These Avill Itc highly prized when the 
originals have disa])i)eared. It is also a delight to give with these pictures 
the valuable approximate dates of the erection of these houses, and the 
titles to the land on which they stand. These latter are but a small part 
of the valuable and voluminous results of extensive and careful research, 
painstaking investigation and study of Henry B. Worth, counsellor-at-law 
of New Bedford, Mass. 1I(> jirepared the following text of this article on 
"Old Houses" at my solicitation. 



23 



ZSaiiBBSfliHteMMtfBM; 




Courtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo, by Fred W. Palmer. 



ANTIPAS HATHAWAY HOUSE. Built About 1735. 



This house is located on the east side of the road leading from Fair- 
haven to Acnshnet, abont a third of a mile north of the residence of Capt. 
Franklyn Howland, and nearly the same distance east from the road. 

The tract on which this honse is located was formerly' the north third 
of the 600-acre farm owned in 1711 by Thomas Hathaway, son of Arthur, 

1737. Thomas Hathaway to son, Antipas, noi-th third of farm. 

1747. Antipas Hathaway to James Weeden, his homestead. 

1751. James Weeden to Hezekiah Winslow, the same. 

1771. Job and Ezra Winslow to Obed Nye, their father's homestead. 

1817. Heirs of Obed Nye to Thomas Nye. 

1854. Heirs of Thomas Nye to George H. Lewis. 

By inheritance to his wife and later to her daughter, IMrs. Annie M. 
Ruggles, the owner in 1904. 

The striking feature of this house is the overhang gable and cornice, 
a peculiarity observed more in Connecticut than in Massachusetts, and is 



24 

found usually in houses constructed before 1740. In 1888 the large cen- 
tral chimney originally built in the house was removed and the present 
chimney substituted, and in the alteration a piece of iron-work in one of 
the fireplaces had thereon the date 1735. As the farm was conveyed to 
Antipas Hathaway in 1787, it is clefir tliat between these two dates the 
house was built. 

THE TABER HOMESTEAD. 

This is situated opposite the Jabez Taber tavern on the east side of 
the Long Plain road, about a mile north of the Parting Ways. 

Its south line now is the Ijrook that crosses the road. The land was 
originally part of the homestead of John Spooner, Jr., and on his death 
in 1728 it was devised to his son Thomas. The latter died in New London, 
Conn., and this farm was divided between his heirs. The portions which 
fell to Alden Spooner and Robert Bennett, 2nd., in 1778, were conveyed 
to Abraham Sherman and comprised the part north of the brook. It 
descended from Sherman to Tabers.' A part of the same farm south of 
the brook was purchased by Sherman, who built the house next to the 
brook. Later it passed to William C. Taber and in 1906, the second 
lot south of the brook and the house thereon, built by Wm. C. Taber, 
were owned and occupied by the heirs of Henry W. Cushman. 

CAPTAIN ANDREW J. WING PLACE. 

This farm and ancient residence thereon is situated on the east side 
of the Long Plain road, opposite the Sands Wing place, and about a 
quarter of a mile south of the Middle road. 

The land originally belonged to Captain Seth Pope, and from his 
heirs it went to his son Elnathan, and in 1735 to another Seth Pope, son 
of Elnathan, who occupied the farm till 1759, with his house on the west 
side of the road, the Sands Wing house. He then sold the farm to Jacob 
Taber. In 1784, Robert Bennett became owner of the portion on the 
east side of the road, and in 1794 he sold it to Anuiziah Taber, who devised 
it to his grandson, Thomas Wood. 

1811. Thomas AVood conveyed it to Gideon Wood. 

1833. Gideon Wood to Tal)er Wood. 

1839. Taber Wood to Nathaniel S. Spooner, Silas Stetson, Jacob 
S. Davis, Ellis Mendall. 

1850. The pro{)erty was in possession of Capt. Jas. R. Allen; 1859, 
Caroline B. Wing; 1876, James A. Wing. Tlic lionsc was ])r()l)al)ly luiilt 
by Amaziah Taber or Robert Bennett before the year 1800. 

The place is now occupied by the family of Eugene AVhit(\ whose 
wife, Annie, is a daughter of Cai)t. Andrew J. Wing. 



25 




Courtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo, by Fred W. Palmer. 



MASON TABER TAVERN. Built About 1770. 



This house was built on the west side of the roacl leadiug from 
Aeushnet bridge to Long Plain, and nearly at the head of the Eochester 
road over Perry's Hill. 

The land was a part of the extensive farm owned in 1720 by Capt. 
Seth Pope, and nanu^l the Spring Brook Farm, from -the stream which 
flowed through it. ^Phe farm was devised by Seth Pope to his son, 
Elnathan, and by the latter, to his son, Isaac. 

1791. Isaac Pojie's will devised to his son, Isaac, "the north part 
of my homestead and my now dwelling house," indicating that the 
deceased had formerly lived in another house that was thon standing. 

1817. Jonathan Pope to Salisbury Blackmei-. 

1821. Salis])ury Plackmer to Joseph Tal)e7-. 

1825. Joseph Taber to Mason Taber. 

The house and farm are now owned by Joseph T. Brownell. 

This house was one of several that were built in different parts of 
Old Dartmouth preceding the Revolutionary war. During the ownership 
of ]\Iason Tal)er it was used as a stage house and tavern, and its con- 



26 

venient location at the head of the Rochester road suggests that it may 
have been originally intended for the same business. It was probably 
built between 1770 and 1776 by Isaac Pope. 



JABEZ TABER'S TAVERN. Built Before 1715. 

This interesting house is located on the east side of the road to Long 
Plain, about a mile and a half north of Acushnet Bridge, and near the 
terminus of the White's Factory road. A large tract was laid out to 
Capt. Thomas Taber in 1714 for his sons John and Joseph. On the road 
it extended north and south of the Cushman Mill Brook crossing nearly 
half a mile. In a division made later John received the south half and 
Joseph the north. In 1750 John Taber conveyed his farm to his three 
sons, the north third to Elnathan, the middle to Jabez and the south to 
Amaziah. For over a century the central portion was .owned by a Taber 
whose first name was Jabez. The last of that family, who died about 1870, 
over ninety years of age, lived during his entire life on this farm, and 
yet was a resident of four different towns. 

In 1874 the part of the farm including the old house was purchased 
by Capt-. Francis C. Eldredgc, whose widow, Katharine H., is the present 
owner. 

In a conveyance of land in that locality in 1715 mention is made of 
"young Taber 's house." This was the gambrel roof rear which in posi- 
tion, form and construction belongs to that period. In 1812 the three- 
story front was built, giving the house a shape like the letter T. Its 
history as a tavern began at about that date. There was then no sug- 
gestion that the highway in front would ever cease to be the "Post road 
from New Bedford to Boston," nor that the stage lines passing its door 
would be discontiinied. Therefore the proprietor built the front exceed- 
ingly commodious and comfortable. Nearly two-thirds of the old section 
was the extensive dining room and the front was devoted to entertainment 
and lodging. No ])ublic house presented a more cheerful and inviting 
interior than this Wayside Inn. Bnt after twenty-five years the situation 
had seriously changed. The railroad to Taunton was established; 
travellers adopted the new method of transi)ortation ; one after another 
the stage lines were withdrawn and the numerous hotels and road houses 
on this highway to Boston were closed to the i)ublic. About 1843 Jabez 
Taber removed the sign that for thirty years had swung near the roadside 
and the tavern became a retired country home. 

Jeremiah Ilammet remembers the sign hung between two posts so 
that the stages would pass under it. It was 4 feet square and had on it 
the painting of a man riding a horse. Below the horse was the name of 
the proprietor, Jabcv, Tabei'. See a cut of the lavern on another page. 



27 




Courtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo, by Fred W. Palmer. 



SANDS WING HOUSE. Built About 1735. 



This house is located on the west side of the road, about three-fourths 
of a mile soutli of Long Plain, and is owned by John S. Perry. 

This farm was set otf to Capt. Seth Pope, and at his death in 1726 it 
was devised to his son, Elnathan, and in 1785 to Seth Pope, who built the 
gambrel roof section of the house, probal)ly between 1735 and 1740. Seth 
Pope in 1759 conveyed his farm to Jacob Tal)er and then it was trans- 
ferred in 1787 to Silas Sweet. 

1797. Silas Sweet to Aaron Wing. 

1806. Aaron Wing to Sands Wing. 

1888. Sands Wing's daughter, Mary Ann Wing, to John S. Perry. 



28 



II T ii rrrrrmi r i i n-r— | - | ii-|iiillilllll ' in 

ii i r |II [ 1- I II ■ " ■■ ■ ■ ■ I h*** *****t 




Courtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo, by Fred W. Palmer. 



DR. TOBEY HOUSE. Built About 1748. 



This house is located on the east side of IMill road, about an eighth 
of a mile north of the bridge in the village. 

The land was the south end of the homestead of IMark Jenney, who 
devised the same in 1740 to his son Lettice. 

1748. Lettice Jenney to Zaccheus Jenney, who conveyed the same 
to Dr. Elisha Tobey, who l)uilt this house about this date. 

This house faces south, and therefore stands end to the road in exact 
conformity to the Puritan regulations. Tlie dormer windows are of recent 
construction. 

Among the (lescciidants of the doctor has been jjreserved a tradition 
that during the British invasion in September. 1778, some of the troops 
visited this house and attempted to make a thorough examination of the 
same for the purpose of confiscating whatever they might select. Owing 
to the peculiar construction of the house, the door into the cellar when 
opened concealed the door into a closet where were stored the valuables 



29 

that belonged to the family, and so these escaped the attention of the 
English soldiers. 

This property is now owned and occupied by James A. Dexter. 



CAPTAIN FRANKLYN ROWLAND PLACE. 

"Wayside" is situated on the east side of Fairhaven road, about 
(iUO feet south of the brook. It was part of the Stephen Hathaway 
farm of 350 acres. In 1838 the devisees of Stephen Hathaway, being 
his six daughters, conveyed this tract, consisting of fourteen acres, 
to Leonard Hammond. 

1839. Lenuiel Hammond to Francis D. Williams. 

18-1:4. Francis D. WilliauLs to Jireh Swift and Gideon Nye. 

1854. Swift and Nye to Lettic© Washburn. 

1861. Lettice Washburn to Job L. Shaw. 

1863. Job L. Shaw to Charles H. Wilcox. 

1864. Charles H. Wilcox to Thomas N. Allen. 
1871. Thomas N. Allen to Charles H. Hathaway. 
1873. Charles H. Hathaway to A. Franklyn Howland. 

The present dwelling house which was constructed in 1844 was 
originally more than twice its present dimensions. It was built for a 
boarding school called the "Union Seminary." When it ceased to be 
used as such, a i)art of the house was moved to the opposite side of the 
highway, about 200 feet north of the In-ook. It is now owned and oecu- 
l^ied by Samuel Cory. See a cut of the house on a subsequent page. 



THE LAURA KEENE FARM. 

This was the south third of the immense tract of real estate of 
Thomas - Hathaway, son of Arthur i- 

Thomas - Hathaway in 1740 conveyed it to his son Thomas. 

1786. Thomas ^ Hathaway by will devised the same to Jonathan 
Kempton. 

1823. Jonathan Kempton devised it to his children. 

1836. His son Charles Kempton had acquired the entire farm. 

1851. Charles Kempton failed and the property passed to IMary 
Gifford, wife of Joseph. 

1855. IMary Gifford conveyed to Nathan Breed of Lynn, INIass. 

1865. Nathan Breed to Laura Keene. 

1906. The property is now owned and occu])it'd l)y Dr. Frederick 
B. Lawson. Laura Keene," who x>ossessed this estate in 1865, was a 
famous actress. She had the leading part in a play at Ford Theatre 
where and when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. 



30 




Courtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo, by Fred W. Palmer. 



DR. SAMUEL WEST HOUSE. Probably built before 1775. 

Located on the road between the head of Aenshnet river and Long 
Plain on the northeast corner of that road and the highway leading to 
Mattapoisett. 

It has been erroneonsly supposed that the West house, which was 
burned by the British, occupied the same site as that of the Dr. West 
homestead ; this was directly south of the old cemetery at the top of the 
hill. While Dr. West may have lived in that locality, he never owned the 
house and at the time of his death was the owner of the property herein- 
after described. 

The land where this house stands was the east section of John 
Jenney's lot, the wesit ])art being that occupied by the church and 
cemetery, 

1742. John Jenney to Daniel Spooner. 

1746. Daniel Spooner to Ei)hraim Keith. 

1746. Ephraim Keith to Paul Mandell. 



31 

1748. Paul Mandell to John Craudou, and the same was inherited by 
Thomas Crandon, innholder. 

1785. Samuel West recovered judgment against Crandon and seized 
this land on execution. 

1811. Samuel West, Jr., to William Wood. 

1823. William Wood to Stephen Taber. 

1828. Stephen Taber to Jashub Wing. 

1886. Jashub Wing to William Payson, M. D. 

1843. Dr. Payson to William M. Dunham. 

1854. William I\I. Dunham to Charles H. Adams. 

1869. Charles H. Adams to Rhoda S. Bassett. 

1873. Henry H. Forbes to Huldah W. Burt. 

The description in these deeds established the fact that Dr. West 
lived in this house, which he owned after 1785, and he used and occupied 
the land north of his house, which was owned by the First Church, from 
1743 to 1813, and designated as the Parish Lots and were kept for the 
minister's use. 

The house has been considerably modernized in later years. 

HARRINGTON HOUSE. 

This house is located on the northwest corner of the cross roads 
known as Lunds corner. 

The land was originally owned, wholly or in part, by George Babcock. 

1736. George Babcock to Richard Peirce,' whose wife was th3 
daughter of Samuel Hunt. 

1757. Richard Peirce had died and his wife, Mercy, had married 
Samuel Dunbar and they conveyed this land to Israel Cheever. 

1761. Israel Cheever to William Kempton. 

1825. William Kempton to Alexander Waggoner. 

1841. Heirs of Alexander Waggoner to Augustus Harrington, whose 
descendants have been the owners since. 

It has been erroneously stated that this house was the residence of 
Rev. Samuel Hunt. Hunt never owned the Harrington property, and 
there is no evidence that he ever lived there. Richard Peirce above named, 
who married Hunt's daughter, Mercy, was the second minister over the 
First church, and the above named Israel Cheever was the third minister 
of the same church. It will also be remembered that Hunt's homestead 
was located about 700 feet northwest of the Harringtcm house. These 
facts would easily become confused and give rise to the tradition that 
Samuel Hunt, the first minister of the First church, owned and occupied 
the same house as Peirce or Cheever. This has been the residence for 
several years of J. Frank Weeks, M. D., whose wife is a granddaughter of 
Augustus Harrington. 



82 





» ««»~*^~ 




Courtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo, by Fred W. Palmer. 



JONATHAN SWIFT HOUSE. Built Before 1799. 

The Jonathan Swift house is located on the north side of the road 
in Aeushnet village, between Lands corner and the post office. The land 
was conveyed by Jireh Swift to his son Jonathan, who built the house 
about 1800. He left it by will to his sister Nancy, the wife of Captain 
Louni Snow. In 1871 she conveyed the property to Susan W. Snow. 
Subsequent owners have been heirs of Susan Snow; then John Little 
and now Susan, widow of John Little. 



THE POPE TAVERN. 



On the e;ist side of the hriduc on the soutii si(U' of the road fr(»iii the 
river to a brook which extends through the homestead of the late 
Rodolphus N. Swift is a triangle comprising about four acres on which 
are nine buildings, all of which have an eventful history. The entire 
tract in 1738 belonged to Stephen "West, Jr., whose wife was the only 



33 

child of Samuel Jenney. This triangle was successively owned by Daniel 
Spooner, Ephraim Keith, Paul Mendell, John Crandon, "shop keeper," 
and in 1801 was owned hy a descendant named John Crandon. Begin- 
ning with that date the front on the i-oad Ix'gan to l)e divided into lots 
and occupied by separate buildings. 

The square, building on the river was built about 1810 by Amos Pratt. 

The building next east was originally a dwelling house and was 
probably built about 1813. 

The third building was a dwelling house built by AVilliam Kempton 
between 1811 and 181!); was later occupied by Captain Worth Pope, 
and from 1820 to 1817 was a tavern or road house. This house came into 
possession of John R. Davis. Here he resided till his decease in 1888 and 
his widow till her death in 1904. This and the two buildings above 
mentioned are uoav owned l)y Thomas Ilersom, Sr., who remodeled them 
in 1006. 

See cut of the houses on a sul)S('i(U('nt page. 

Tlie house next east is of recent (MUistruction, having taken the place 
of the dwelling house that was burned in 1847. 

The house now owned by Walter R. Spooner and at one time occupied 
by Squire Cyrus E. Clark in whicli he conducted the post office, was 
probably the homestead of Amos Pi-att, and built by him about 1810. 

The house now owned by Thomas Ilersom has been cousiderably re- 
modelled and was ])rol)al)l\' l)uilt by Silas Stetson a])out 1817. 

The building now used as a town house was originally the schoolhouse 
of district No. 4 of Fairhaven, and was built in 1817. 

The narrow dwelling house next east was wholly or in part the 
ofiRce building of Judge Nathaniel S. Spooner, who built the structure 
in 1823. 

The parsonage property devised to the Methodist society by Edward 
Dillingham was originally occujiied by a house which was recently re- 
moved and on the site of which the pi'cscnt house was l)uilt. 

GREENWOOD HOUSE. Built about 1750. 

This is situated on the east side of the Long Plain road, and abou.t 
an eighth of a mile north of llie I'eri'v Hill road. The land was laid out 
in 1714 to William Allen. 

1747. William Allen conveyed it to James Dexter. 

17G3. James Dexter conveyed it to Benjamin Terry. 

1781. Benjamin Terry conveyed it to his son, Thomas Terry. 

1826. Elias Terry to Isaac Vincent who devised the same to John 
M. Vincent, and in 1894 John M. Vincent sold it to John Greenwood, ft 
seems probable that the original part was built by James Dexter after 
1747, and the remainder by Benjamin Terry after the Revolutionary War. 



34 




Courtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo, by Fred W. Talmer. 



REUBEN MASON HOUSE. Built about 1736. 



This house is located a short distance north of Long- Plain, on the 
east side of the road formerly called the Ilighwav to Boston. 

The land was laid out in 1712 to James Samson, Jr., who in 1717 
conveyed it to Nathan Simmons. It descended in 1721 to the heirs of 
the latter who were brothers and sisters. After a division, Keziah Sim- 
mons, Sarah Walker, and Elizabeth and Stephen Wing, living in 17;^H, 
conveyed to Joseph Cook and he built this house shortly after. 

1793. Joseph Cook, Jr., conveyed the house and land to Ephraim 
Simmons. His daughter Amy married Samuel Tripp and their daughter's 
son conveyed to Ansel White. 

1854. Ansel White to Lucy Ann ]\Iason, the owner in lOOl. 



35 




Courtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo, by Fred W. Palmer. 



JUDGE SPOONER HOUSE. Built about 1794. 



Nathaniel S. Spooner was jiul^e of tho police court of New Bedford 
and attorney at law. When he died he left a considerahle fortiuie. 
The basis of his will was the pi-opcrty left to him hy Samuel Sprague, 
in whose footsteps he closely followed. Judge Spooner was a careful 
business adviser, settled estates, loaned money, and was highly respected 
ill the community, llis house shown in the above picture is on the east 
side of the Acushnet river, just over the bridge. Until the year 1903 his 
mill stood in the southwest corner of his house lot at the corner of the 
road and the river. A short distance east of the house, and on the op- 
posite side of the road next east of the town house, is a narrow building 
which has been enlarged, and is next to the Methodist parsonage. The 
original part of the building was Judge Spooner 's office. 

At his decease Judge Spooner left all his property to his daughter. 
Miss Martha Spooner, and she left the same to various organizations and 
provided funds to build the Congregational parsonage and chapel near 



36 

Lnnds corner. The land on which the house stands was a part of the 
mill lot set off in 1711. John Wing, Jr., purchased it in 1704 from 
Simpson Hart and about that time the house was built. 

J 81 7. Edward Wiug sold it to Nathaniel S. Spooner. 

EBENEZER KEENE HOUSE. Built about 1740. 

Located on the west side of the Keene road near the Freetown line. 
The land was set off to James Sampson and ])\' several transfers in 1740 
was purchased by Ebenezer Keene. 'This house was probably built about 
this time. The farm remained in the Keeiu^ family until LSKi, when it 
was sold to James Gracia. 

1848. James Gracia to "William M. Scott. 

1861. William M. Scott to Adeline Silvey. 

1866. Adeline Silvey to Sturtevant and Sherman of New Bedford. 

1867. Sturtevant and Sherman to Nicholas Hall. 
1869. Nicholas Hall to Betsey W. Harvey. 
1873. Betsey W. Harvey to Drucilla R. Wilbur. 

1898. Drucilla R. Willnir to Michael Frank, the owner in 1905. 

The interior construction strongly resembles that of the William 
White house, has summer, but the corner posts without brackets, chimney 
built of brick and large stone mixed. House faces the east. 

JAMES CUSHMAN HOUSE. Built about 1732. 

Located on the east side of the road between Acushnet village and 
Long Plain, and is the second house north of the corner on which is 
located the Friends' Meeting cemetery. 

The land w^as part of the John Spooner homestead, and in 1728 
was devised to his son, Barnabas Spooner. 

1732. Barnal)as Spooner to James Cushman. 

1796. Division of estate of James Cushman, in which tliis land 
went to son James. 

1796. JamcvS Cushman to Elisha Cushman. 

]800. Elisha Cushman to William Smith. 

1818. Smith to Zaccheus Cushman. 

1821. Cushman to .John R. Davis, and by inhcritaiu'c to his son, 
John R. 

1852. Davis to son James Davis. 

1868. Davis to Daniel Thornton. 
1883. Thornton to George W. Gibbs. 

1883. Gibbs to Lizzietta Ashley, the present owner. 
The house is of the same type as that occupied by Daniel Summerton, 
and Avas probably built by James Cushman about 1732. 



37 




Courtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo, by Fred W. Palmer. 



JENNEY-MORSE HOUSE. Built previous to 1725. 

This house is located on the north side of the INIiddle Long Plain 
road about two miles north of the l)i'idge, in the vicinity of the Deep 
Brook saw mill. 

The water jjrivih'ge at Deep Brook Irom earl\- limes has l)eeii one of 
the most important in the old town. It was first utilized by Samuel 
Jenney, to whom a large area of land was set off in 1711. 

In some way all of Samuel Jenney's property at his death became 
vested in Stephen West, Jr., and with it the forge, water privilege, mills, 
etc. 

1788. Stephen West, Jr. to JaJnes Fuller, a bloomer, a small tract 
of land on which the latter started llie l)loomery or forge. 

1743. Stephen West, Jr., to Stephen l"al)er, 160 acres near tlie 
forge. 

The Taber family operated the mill until 1761, when they sold the 
forge and mill to other parties, retaining possession of the house. 



38 

1829. Tabers to Godfrey C. Maeoniber. 

1861. Macomber to Charles IM. Morse, and the property in 1!)01 is 
owned by C. M. Morse, Jr. 

The house is located 250 yards north of the road on an eminence, 
faces south, and presents a very fine appearance. The roof is somewhat 
hidden by trees, but it is a "lean-to" of a late period. It was majiuifi- 
cently built by a nuin of wealth. The chimney is constructed of brick of 
small size. Summers upstairs and down, running from end to the chimney. 
Corner-posts bracketed at top. All timbers have rounded edges and 
beaded. The indication is that the house was built previous to 1725 by 
either Samuel Jenney or his successor, Stephen West, Jr. 



SPOONER-ASHLEY HOUSE. Built prior to 1725. 

This house is located on the north side of the Middle road, between 
the Head of the Acushnet river to Long Plain, about one-fourth of a 
mile east of the saw mill on the stream formerly called Deep Brook. 

1711:. Land set off to John Spooner. 

1730. Jdhn Si)ooner to son Nathan, where the latter lives, and all 
land Avest of the river at Deep Brook. 

1745. Nathan Spooner to Jon y than, 52 acres. 

1761. Jonatlian Spooner to EInathan Tobey. 

1777. EInathan Tol)ey to William Tallman. 

1795. William Tallman to Jo)) Earle iind Jonathan Potter. Earle 
and Potter divided and Earle took the east part and Potter the west, 
with the house. 

Potter by inheritance to son Daniel. 

1841. Daniel Potter to Marcus T. C. Ashley. M. T. C. Ashley to 
Loring Ashley, the owner in 1904. 

The house stands on a hill some distance north of the road and faces 
south at a slight angle with the road. In the east room down stairs is 
a stimmer parallel to the end of the house. As far as observed, the 
corner posts were not bracketed. A singular condition was noticed 
in the north and south plates. Mortises were cut into the upper part 
as though sometime intending to take a beam such as is usually seen 
in large barns at the inner and upper edge of the mow. This would lead 
to the inference that these beams had sometime been part of the frame of 
a barn. The rafters are of pine, but all other timbers are of oak. In 
the chimney is a considerable (juantity of snudl sized brick. 

There exists a tradition that this house was once injured hy lightning, 
necessitating the rebuilding of the structure. The presence of the sum- 
mer woidd indicate an origin prior to 1725, and there seems to be no 
doubt that the east part of the house, at least, if not the whole, was 
constrticted bv John Spooner before he sold the farm to his son Nathan. 



39 




Courtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo by Fred. W. Palmer. 



SPOONER-BRADFORD HOUSE. Built probably before 1775. 

This house, owned by Philip A. Bradford, is located on the north side 
of the road leading from Acushnet to ]\Iattapoisett, about one-half of a 
mile east of the Friends' meeting liouse. 

This land was owned in 1729 by William Spooner, who devised this 
part of his homestead to his son Nathaniel. 

1750. Nathaniel Spooner conveys 80 acres to Isaac Spooner. 

1791. Isaac Spooner to his son Jeremiah, the west part of the farm, 
including his house. 

1814. Heirs of Jeremiah Spooner to Oliver Bradford, the father 
of Philip A. Bradford, the present owner. 

This house has been the subject of considerable alteration. Rooms 
have been added and partitions changed until it is difficult to determine 
which parts belonged to the original house, but it seemed probable that 
it may have been a small structure later changed to a five-roomed 
house. The chimney is built of stone, but is not of the Rhoile Island 
type, but seems to have been rather of the ordinary shape, in which 
stone was used instead of In-ick as a matter of economy or convenience. 
It seems probable that the house was built by Nathaniel Spooner pre- 
vious to the Revolution. 



40 




Courtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo by Fred W. Palmer. 



CAPTAIN HUMPHREY HATHAWAY (Alice Roosevelt) HOUSE. 



Residents of Aciishnet now point to the Haskell house near the i)ost 
office as the home of a White House bride's grandparents. During the 
early part of the last century, Alice Hathaway Haskell, grandmother of 
Mrs. Alice Roosevelt Longworth's mother, lived in the pleasant home at 
the Head of the River, the property having descended to her from her 
father, Humphrey Hathaway, who erected it. The building is a double 
house of. the style very jjopular in tliis section for thirty years l)ef()re 
1820. It remained in the possession of the Haskell family until 1S81, 
when it was purchased by Jonathan Bourne and his heirs, and in 18!)() it 
was transferred to James B. Hamlin of Acushnet. 

Miss Alice Lee, who was the first wife of Theodore Roosexelt. at- 
tended the funeral of her grandfather, Elisha Haskell, wdiich was held 
in the old Hathaway — Haskell house, and Alice Roosevelt's father, Presi- 
dent Roosevelt, came with her. 

Th(» three acre lot on the suulh side of Ihe road between the river 
and j)remises of George A. Cobb on which the house is situated, was set 
off in 1711 to Samuel Joy, blacksmitli. In the northeast corner he built 
a house and in 1722 conveyed land and house to Nathaniel Blackwell. 
In 1794 the property was purchased from the Blackwell heirs by Hum- 
phrey Hathaway, and he then removed or denu)lished the Joy home- 
stead and erected the present building. 



41 

The house oii the northwest corner of Elm and Purchase streets was 
the "town" residence of Humphrey Hathaway and his oil works were at 
the corner of School and Fourth streets. 



THE POST OFFICE BUILDING 

Is located at Swift's corner, west of the village bridge — the northwest 
corner. The tract was a part of the mill lot set off to persons as com- 
pensation for undertaking to bnikl a mill. In 1770 it became the 
property of Jacob Taber. 

1780. Jacob Taber conveyed the propei-ty to Jireh Swift. 

1789. Jireh Swift conveyed the same to Jonathan Swift. 

1802. Jireh Swift sohl to .Jonathan Swift all the land lietween his 
house and sho]). The house is the dwelling standing fifty feet west of 
the post office building, consetiuently in 1802 this corner store had been 
built by Jonathan Swiit. Jireh Swift sold the store on the corner to 
Charles H. Kenyon and it is now the property of his widow, Abbie 
Kenyon. 

See a cut of the post office building on another page. 



WILLIAM WHITE HOUSE. 

Located on the farm which extends soidhward from the Freetown 
line and lies about half a mile east of the county road leading from 
Acushnet to East Freetown. The farm is approached by means of wood 
roads not quite impassible. 

This farm was laid out in 1741 to Josei)li Lake and Jonathan Butts, 
who immediately sold the same to William White, a descendant of 
Peregrine. It remained in the White family until 1851, when Ansel 
White sold the farm to Calvin Harvey. It was later owned by Charles 
Nested. 

The house laces south and, except as it has been kept in repair, has 
remained unchanged since it was built by William White. The south- 
east room has a summer and corner-posts, slightly bracketed, thus in- 
dicating that among the residents of Freetown, where the Whites lived, 
these features had not been abandoned. 

It is said that, while owned by the Harveys, the house was a great 
social centre; one of the sons i)la\ed the violin and comlucted neighbor- 
hood dances, Hnd many couples in the locality thought it desirable to be 
married at the house. 

The chimney is built of field stone up to the roof and the brick 
stack was constructed later. 



42 




Courtesy of Kew Bedford Mercury. 



Photo, by Fred W. Palmer. 



SAMUEL SFRAGUE HOUSE. Built about 1731. 

This house is h)cated on the east side of the road to Lon*;- Plain and 
al)(Hit three-quarters of a mile north of the Perry Hill, Rochester road, 
and in 1904 was owned by C. T. Hersey. 

The land on which this house is situated was laid out to William Allen. 

1747. William Allen to James Dexter. 

1763. James Dexter to Benjamin Terry. 

1781. Benjamin Terry to Joshua Sherman and James Foster. 

1785. Sherman and Foster to Samuel Sprague. 

Squire Sprague was one of the most important men in local affairs 
of his day. He was justice of the peace, representative to the general 
court, acted as business adviser, loaned money on mortgages and other- 
wise, and at his death in 1825 had accumulated a considerable fortune 
for that period. Ecclesiastically he seems to have affiliated wntli Dr. 
West's church at Acushnet. The most of his estate was given by wi]l 
to Nathaniel S. Spooner of Acushnet who followed strictly in the foot- 
steps of his benefactor. 

1846. Nathaniel S. Spooner to Ellis Mandell. 



43 



1846. Ellis Maiidell to Captain Jac-oh Tabor, whose daimhters 
married John S. Ferry and Horace Lawton, both of New Bedford. 

When Captain Taber bought this phice he moved the house about 
250 yards north of its original location and on the site built a new house. 
In the removal the old stone chinniey w^as pulled down and the present, 
much smaller, was built. The house is a wide and large gambrel-roof. 
38 feet long and 32 wide. 

The irregular position of the wnndows at the end suggests an ancient 
construction and it was probably built by William Allen about 1720. 




Courtesy of Kew Bedford Mercury. Photo, by Fred W. Palmer. 

WALTER SPOONER HOUSE. Built about 1743. 

Located on the west side of the road, north of Long Plain, next to 
the northernmost house in Aeushnet. The land in 1733 was conveyed 
by Seth Hathaway to Seth Spooner, who in 1743 sol.l it to Walter Spooner, 
and it has been owned by his descendants since that tune. 

The house was built at three different periods, the oldest being the 
part comprising the ell, and was probably built by Seth Spooner before 
1743, but has been considerably altered in recent years. 



44 



• •>! w o«»->v 1 v ii x» i,i 1fti »Wrf 




Courtesy uf New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo, by Fred W. Palmer. 



STEPHEN HATHAWAY HOUSE. Built in 1725. 



This house is located on the east side of the road leading- from 
Dahls corner to Acushnet, and about a (juarter of a mile north of the 
line between Acushnet and Fairhaven, and inunediately north of the resi- 
dence of Captain Franklyn Howland. 

Thomas Hathaway owned a farm half a mile wide, north and south, 
extending from the Acushnet river east nearly two miles and com- 
l)risino' over 600 acres. lie was a son of Arthur Hathaway, who married 
one of the daujj:hters of John Cook, and it was from the latter that Arthur 
Hathaway obtained his extensive landed interests in Dartmonth, which 
descended to his three sons, Thomas. John and Jonathan. 

In 1787 Tliomas conveyed the nortli third of his farm to his son 
Antipas, and in 1740 he conveyed the middle section to his son Jethro, 
and the south third to his son Thomas. 

1792. Jethro Hathaway to his son Stephen his homestead. 



45 

]826. Stephen Hathaway devises his real estate to six daughters, 
Mary Taber, Hannah Nye, Rebecca Dillingham, Abigail Rowland, Eliza- 
beth Swift and Sylvia Nye. 

1838. Heirs of these devisees to Leonard Macomber. 

1839. Leonard Macomber to Francis D. Williams. 

1814. F. D. Williams to Jireh Swift and (iideon Nye the part east of 
the road. 

In 1904 the land whereon this house is located was (twned by a IMrs. 
Edward E. Chase. 

This house faces south and end to the road, and in that way suggests 
the possible ancient origin. In both first and second stories there are 
heavy summers, running parallel to the entl of the house; the corner- 
posts are heavy and l)rackete(l at the top. The edges of all tim])ers are 
chamfered ; the woodwork throughout the house elaborate and finely 
finished. The massive chimney provides a fireplace in every room. 

Some very significant facts have been discovered that assist, in 
connection with the features of construction, in determining the age of this 
house. Thomas Hathaway was clerk of the Dartmouth proprietary, and in 
Decemlx'i-, 172"), Uic i-ecords show that the pr()])i'i('toi''s book "in and 
with the house of the clci-lv " were (h'stroyed l)y fire. Although iu)t 
named there is sufficient evidence to establish tlie fact that Thomas 
Hathaway was the clerk, and therefore the fact is unciuestioned that on 
that date his house was destroyed. Presumably he built a new house 
as soon as possible, unless it may be discovered that he had already 
commenced a new house when the old one was burned. Being a man 
of wealth he could afford as fine a house as could be planned by cohmial 
builders. All the foregoing facts lead to the conclusion that the Stephen 
Hathaw;iy lutnsc was the one which was built by Thomas just before or 
after the old one was dcsti'oycd. Thomas Hathaway, Sr., married 
Hephzihah, the (hiiighlcr ol the "Great Alary Starbuck" of Nantucket. 



LEONARD BOAT HOUSE. 

This dilapidated struct urc, once a dwelling house, is located on the 
south side of the JMiddle road to Long Pbiin. a short distance west of the 
Acushnet rivei'. Shortly ai'tci' the Revolutionary War the land was in 
the ])ossession of Thomas Severance, and in IS^;") he conveyed it to Jabcz 
Taber, who held it until 1864, when he sold it to Abraham Ashley; 18(54, 
George T. and Allen Russell: 18(59. John C. Peckham : 1872. Ebeiu-zer F. 
and Charles F. Leonard. 

The house was built at two periods, the south end being the older 
and probably erected l\y Thomas Severance about 1780, and the other 
end after 1810. 



46 




Courtesy of New Bedford Mercury. 



Photo, bv Fred W. Palmer. 



SUMMERTON HOUSE. Built about 1712. 



The house now owned by the Russell family is located east of the 
brido'e and next east of the site of the Methodist church. It is the 
oldest <iambrel-roof in Old Dartmouth and so far as known in this part 
of INlassachusetts. 

The land on which it stands in 1710 belonged to Samuel Jenney. 

]711. Samuel Jenney to Samuel Hunt, 12 pounds. 

Samuel 'Hunt to Joseph Clark, land and "housing," 280 



1719. 
pounds. 

1723. 

1780. 

1755. 
liv 



where latter 



Joseph Clark to Isaac Nyp. 150 pounds. 
Isaac Nye to Bartholomew West. 250 pounds. 
Bartholomew AVest to Daniel Summerton. 
'es,' ' 100 pounds. 

1S14. Daniel Summerton to Humphrey Hathaway. 
IIiimj)luey Hathaway was ancestor of Horatio and Francis Hathaway, 
late of New Bedford. Now owned l)y heirs of George T. Russell. Sr. 

The house is located end to the street and fronting east and looks to- 
wards the top of the hill on which was built about 1710 the meeting house 
of the First church. The over-hanged cornice and massive chimney of 
the house and the irregular position of windows in the end, together with 
the proportion of measurements of the different dimensions, mark the 



47 

dwelling as belonging to the earliest variety of the ganibrel-roof style. 

There seems to be no doubt that this identical house was in existence 
in 1755 when it was purchased by Summerton. The peculiarities of con- 
struction and the significance of the price paid by different purchasers 
lead to the conclusion that it Avas built by Rev. Samuel Hunt at about 
the time when he purchased the land. About this date the young minister 
had married Hannah, the daughter of Captain Seth Pope, the wealthiest 
and most influential Puritan then living in the town, and it seems prob- 
able that this house was built for their first minister according to what was 
then the most modern type of house. 

In 1716 Mr. Hunt received from his father-indaw a deed of 100 acres 
on the west side of the river, the house on Avhich was located where in 
later years has l)een the residence of Simeon Hawes and near his ice 
houses just west of the Congregational church. To this new residence 
the minister moved and he disposed of the smaller place on the east side 
of the river. He lived and died in his second homestead. It has been 
erroneously inferred that Mr. Hunt occupied the Harrington house, now 
the residence of Dr. Weeks. This mistake probably owns its origin 
to the fact that Rev. Richard Peirce and Rev. Israel Cheever, the 
second and third ministers of the First church, owned and occupied this 
house and Hunt's house was in the same neighborhood. But by the 
records the latter house is located north of the road over 600 feet, whicli 
fixes its position and distinguishes it from the other, .which is within 
100 feet from the street line. 



THE THOMAS WOOD HOUSE. Built before the year 1700. 

The Thomas Wood house was l)uilt by Capt. Thomas Taber, accord- 
ing to tradition about 1680. It was located several hundred feet east 
of the Long Plain road, on the spot now occupied by the barn of Moses 
S. Douglass. This house and the mill near by were in the south part of 
the Thomas Taber farm. The large tract of larid on which it stands was 
originally laid out for Capt. Thomas Taber, as a homestead for his two 
sons, John and Joseph. In a division which was made later, Joseph took 
the north portion. The south part of the farm went to John Taber 
and in 1750 he divided it into three parts, conveying the south third to 
son Amaziah. The latter devised the farm to his grandson, Thomas Wood, 
and in 1874 it was sold by the administrator of the latter to Moses S. 
Douglass. The house burned down al)out 1869. From the appearance 
given in the picture it was a typical Rhode Island stone end house of 
the period of the King Philip War, 1676, and it had the usual stone 
chimney. It was probably built very soon after the Indian War. 

See a cut of this house on another page. 



48 

WIND MILLS An interesting structure of this period, one of incalculable 
value to the inhabitants and a picturesque feature in 
every landscape where it stood, was the wind mill, with its immense arms 
and sails of canvas attached to a round or octagonal turreted building. 
At the first appearance of this ol)ject the Indians were filled with wonder 
and consternation. They looked upon them with alarm when in motion, 
believing that some spirits unknown to them were the propelling power. 
One of these stood on the highland southwest of Parting Ways and others 
elseAvhere in town. In Fairhaven there was one at Oxford village on 
Dolly Hill, so called, near the northwest corner of North and IMain streets ; 
another in the vicinity of the present pumping station, and the one of 
which a cnt is uivcn l)c'low. stood on the granite k^dge near Foi't Phoenix. 




OLD WIND MILL— Formerly near Fort Phoenix. 
(Facsimile of one near Parting Ways.) 



49 

"Behold, a giant I am! "I stand here in my place 

Aloft here in my tower With my foot on the rock below. 

With my granite jaws I devour And which ever way it may blow, 

The maize, the wheat, and the rye, I meet it face to face. 

And grind them into flour." As a brave man meets his foe." 

"I hear the sound of flails "On Sundays I take my rest; 

Far off from the threshing floors Church going bells begin 

In barns with their open doors; Their low melodies din; 

And the wind, and the wind in my sails I cross my arms on my breast 

Louder and louder roars." And all is peace within." 

AULD LANG SYNE We have enjoyed a superficial view of these 

old houses of Acushnet. It will be interesting 
to some to recall a little of the social and family life of former times 
there. One of the charming features of the household life of these 
old homes was the fireplace, so huge that it could be fed with uncut 
cordwood and had a flue through which a man could easily pass. About 
these blazing hearth-stones the family gathered at the end of the day's 
toil in the winter and passed the evening hours. How beautifully and 
vividly the })oet Whittier describes in that poem of matchless sim- 
plicity and sweetness, the laying of the fire in one of these mammoth 
fireplaces in these words : 

"We pile with care our mighty stack 
Of wood against the chimney back; 
The oaken log, green, huge and thick, 
And on its top the huge back stick — • 
The knotty forestick laid apart. 
And filled between with curious art 
Of ragged brush ; then hovering near 
We watch the first red blaze appear." 

"Heard the sharp crackle, caught the gleam 
Of whitewashed wall and surging beam, 
Until the old rude fashioned room 
Burst flower-like into bloom. 
What matter how the night behaved ! 
What matter how the north wind raved ! 
Blow high, blow low, not all its snow 
Could (juench our hearth fire's ruddy glow." 



50 




CHIMNEY OF THE WEST HOUSE, SCONTICUT NECK, FAIRHAVEN. 



There was nothing abont the old rural homesteads of long ago 
more enjoyed and which lingered longer in the recollections of child- 
hood days than the great farm barn where the fragrant hay was stored 
and the animals of the premises were housed. It was a place for play 
at all times; in the winter days when the weather was too severe and 
when the summer days were too torrid for out-of-door sports. The 
swings, the ladders and the hay mows were the only indoor gymnasiums 
for children in those days and grandpa's barn was an especially de- 



51 

lightfiil place, for there were no don'ts attached to the privilege of 
romping in it. It was happily called to remembrance as long as that 
blessed facnlty was retained. 

"For grandpa's barn was the jolliest j)lace 
For frolic and fun in a summer day ; 
And e'en old Time, as the years slip by, 
Its memory never can steal away." 

Many readers of these pages will recall among other interesting and 
precious objects of the old home the ever fascinating and bewitching 
grandfather's clock. There, as the poet Longfellow soliloquizes: 

"Through days of sorrow and of mirth, 
Thi'ough days of death and days of birth, 
Through every swift vicissitude 
Of changeless time, unchanged it stood." 

"By day its voice was low and light, 
liut in the sih^nt dead of night, 
Distinct as a passing footstep's fall, 
It echoed along the vacant hall — 
Along the ceiling — along the door. 
And seemed to say at each chamber door. 
Forever — never ! 
Never — forever ! ' ' 

What did the members of the family do in those long ago days? 
They worked. They had no time to kill, and no demoralizing horse 
races, disreputable vaudeville and the like with which to kill, and 
worse than waste their time. There were no "common stocks" and 
oreless mines, and bottomless bucket shops, and "giltedged" mortgages 
on valueless property in which to invest — sink — their hard earned dol- 
lars. It was honest toil and thrift. New England grit and gumption, 
push, pluck and perseverance that enabled these forefathers and fore- 
mothers of ours to overcome the tremendous adversities that confronted 
them, and to surmount the obstacles in the pathway of their humble 
lives. Not only did father and mother toil to support the roof tree, but to 
the children were assigned duties that they were not permitted to shirk, 
which taught them a useful lesson. No comparison will be made in this 
item of home life and conditions between then and now. Benjamin 
Franklin di'scribcd the farmers' condition in ITTf) in verse, as follows: 

"Farmers at the plough; 
Wife milking cow ; 
Daughters spinning yarn ; 
Sons threshing in the barn — 

All happy to a charm." 



52 

A facetious rhj-mster gives his version of the situation a hundred and 
twenty-five years later, thus: 

' ' The farmer gone to see a show ; 
His daughter at the piano ; 
Madame gaily dressed in satin; 
All the boys are learning Latin — 

With a mortgage on the farm." 

The question may be asked, What did the earliest settlers have for 
food? Fish and game were plentiful. Indian corn was the chief cereal. 
Before a wind mill was erected here the usual way of pulverizing corn was 
to pound it in the stump of a tree dug out for a mortar, with a wooden 
pestle suspended from a live limb of a tree or a sapling. From this was 
made hasty pudding, Indian dumplings, "newsamp" as the Indians called 
it, which was a porridge, and Johnny cakes. Another popular corn dish 
was no cake or Indian "noodick." This was also a favorite ration with 
the Indians on their hunting expeditions. It was made from the whole 
corn parched in the hot ashes. The ashes were sifted from the corn, 
which was beaten to a powder. The Indians put this in long leathern 
bags, which they trussed at their backs like a knapsack, and ate it with 
the game and fish which they procured, and cooked in the woods or at 
the water side. Beans were plentiful, but potatoes were scarce. The diet 
was necessarily simple, limited and changeless. It was "Hobson's 
choice," that or nothing. There were no cafes or table d 'botes to resort 
to. But dyspepsia, heart burn and othep stomachic ailments were rare. 

Some of my readers of 1907 have witnessed home life of the tallow 
dip and fireplace period ; where there was no artificial light but the 
tallow candle and no stove. The kitchen of the old days was also the 
"living" room. Here they cooked and ate; here they spent their waking 
hours indoors, except on rare occasions, such as weddings and funerals. 
There was seldom any fire elsewhere in the h.ouse. Here nearly all the 
artificial heat was generated, and most of that ascended the throat of 
the immense chimney. The frigid beds were literally in a shocking state 
till the sheets had been faithfully ironed with the warming pan filled with 
live coals. This was performed only for "company," the aged and 
invalids. 

It is interesting to recall the cooking furnishings of the fireplace where 
all the food of the family was prepared for the table. There were the 
andirons, the crane, pot hooks, trammels, hakes, pot hangers, pot claws, 
pot clips, pot brakes, pot crooks, bake kettles, boiling kettles, tea kettles, 
brass kettles, skillets, gridirons, toasting forks, waffle irons, plate warm- 
ers, rabbit broilers, dutch ovens, clock jacks, roasting kitchens, and, 
as auctioneers sometime advertise, "other things too numerous to men- 
tion." The home spun industries of "ye olden tyme" have been super- 



53 

seded by textile industries nm largely by steam and water and electric 
power. Only as curiosities and heirlooms are to be seen the implements 
of the home spun days, such as the flax brake, swingling block, swingling 
knives and hetchels, which were nsed to prepare the flax fibre for 
spinning; the dye tubs, cards, spinning wheels, clock and triple reels, 
niddy noddys, swifts, quilling wheels, and looms. These took flax from 
the field and wool from the sheep's back and made them into fabrics for 
family wear. Candle dipping, soap boiling, killing time and house raising 
are events of the past. The tallow dip, tinder and flint, tinder box, tinder 
wheel, the tray and snutfers which grandma used, and the smoking tongs 
which grandpa jiicked coals from the fireplace to light his pipe with, 
have been laid aside forever, as have that dear old grandpa and grandma 
who exist only in precious memory. Absent ones and those who were 
approaching the sunset of life recalled these rural homesteads in the 
happy thoughts, if not in these charming lines, of the poet : 

"How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood, 

When fond recollection presents them to view ! 
The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wildwood. 

And every loved spot which my infancy knew ! 
The wide spreading pond, and the mill that stood by it ; 

The bridge, and the rock where the cataract fell; 
The cot of my father, the dairy-house nigh it; 

And e'en the rude bucket that hung in the well — 
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket. 

The moss-covered bucket which hung in the well." 

ORIGINAL LAYOUTS This and the three subsequent articles on 
OF ACUSHNET LANDS "The Mill Lot," "The Triangle" and 

"Acushnet River and Its Tributaries," are 
abstracts from Henry B. Worth's collection of such interesting matter. 

A knowledge of the location of the roads of the town then and now 
will l)e helpful in establishing the situation of the trails described below. 
This information can be found in a subsequent article headed "Layouts 
of Highways," 

Without the aid of an extensive map it would be impossible to define 
the different layouts in every part of the town, and as much of the area 
was woodland it would be of little importance historically; so it is pro- 
posed to indicate approximately the location of the Proprietary set-offs 
along the line of the different roads, which were originally homesteads or 
subsequently became such. 

North of Howland road, the terminus of the Coggeshall street bridge, 
is a junction of two ways. The line between Acushnet and Fairhaven 
crosses near this point. Between this line and the road over the bridge 
at the head of the river were five homesteads extending from the river 
east a considerable distance beyond the road. 



54 

The first was owned by Jonathan Hathaway and contained 72 acres 
with a width of 40 rods. There is no information where the homestead 
house stood. The dwelling- of Rebecca Hathaway, later owned by Moses 
Stone, was built after the Revolution. 

The second farm was owned by Thomas Hathaway. It was over two 
miles in length and half a mile in width, and comprised over 600 acres. 
The Stephen Hathaway house was the homestead of this farm before its 
division. The Laura Keene and Captain Frankly n Howland places are 
on the south edge, and the George W. Lewis farm, formerl}^ the home- 
stead of Capt. Obed Nye, now owned by Mrs. Ann M. Ruggles, was on 
the north line. 

Next came the homestead of Samuel Spooner, measuring 105 acres 
and 60 rods on the road. There is no record disclosing the location of the 
homestead house. The David Russell place, formerly belonging to 
Thomas and Maj. Edward Pope, was in this fkrm. 

The farm next north was 34 acres in extent and belonged to John 
Jenney and was one-eighth of a mile wide ; the location of his house has 
not been determined. This included the present Horatio N. Wilbur place. 

Between this and the Rhode Island way was the homestead of Sam- 
uel Jenney, comprising 56 acres. These Jenney farms later came into 
possession of Stephen West, Jr., whose house on the hill, tradition 
asserts, was burned by the British soldiers. The part of this farm east of 
the brook was owned by Bartholomew West, a descendant of Stephen. 

Starting at the bridge over the Acushnet at its head, on the south 
side of the road lay the above-described Jenney land which extended 
east including the schoolhouse and Friends Meeting property, and down 
the Mattapoisett road to the angle in the way west of the Philip A. 
Bradford place. 

Next east was the continuation of the Samuel Spooner land, which 
extended beyond the Cornish, later known as the Lyon place. 

On the north side of the road at the bridge was the Mill lot, in later 
years the residence of Judge Nathaniel S. Spooner, having a frontage on 
the road of nearly 400 feet. 

Between the Mill lot and the foot of Meeting House Hill was a ten 
acre lot laid out to Samuel Jenney, which he sold to Rev. Samuel Hunt, 
who built thereon the Summerton house. 

Next east was the lot now occupied by the burial ground, where the 
meeting-house stood, which in 1713 John Jenney conveyed "to the people 
of God called Presbyterians where their meeting-house now stands." 

The northeast corner of Main and Mattapoisett road was laid out to 
John Jenney, and after 1785 was the residence of Rev. Samuel West, D. D. 
This land extended east as far as the first angle of the Mattapoisett road. 

Bounding Dr. West's land on the east was the farm of John Spooner, 
having a frontage of nearly 120 rods, and including the homestead of 
Philip A. Bradford. 



55 

Next east was the homestead of Lieut. William Spooner, which 
extended east to the woodbind. 

From the Friends ]\Ieeting-house corner on the main road to Long 
Plain for the next eighth of a mile the road passed by land of John 
Jenney. It next crossed the homestead of John Spooner, which extended 
over a mile east from the river and about to the brow of the hill. The 
John R. Davis place is on the south edge of this farm. Next north was 
the homestead of Dr. Benjamin Burge, physician from 1735 until his death 
in 1748. This homestead was afterward owned by Ebenezer Akin and 
later Ebenezer Akin Pope. 

On the east side of the road next north was a tract of over 150 acres 
laid out to Capt. Thomas Taber for his sons Joseph and John. It extended 
to the point in the road Avhere it turned due east. It was occupied by 
Taber as early as 1680, when he built the dwelling known • later as the 
Thomas Wood house, which occupied the same location as the barn of 
Moses S. Douglass. The brook crossed this farm and furnished water 
power for the mill as early as 1750, where the mill of Henry W. Cushman 
now stands. The Jabez Taber tavern is on this farm. 

On the opposite side of the main road was laud belonging to John 
Spooner, Jr. The White's Factory road is about in the centre of this farm. 

Bounding the Taber and Spooner lands on the north was the Spring 
Brook farm, laid out to Seth Pope and Samuel Hunt and owned by the 
former at his death, and l)y him devised to his son, Elnathan. The 
junction of the roads on Perry hill was near the centre of this farm, which 
comprised over 600 acres. The Mason Taber house was the dwelling of 
the last Pope that owned this place. On the west side of the road to Long 
Plain the Pope Spring Brook farm extended north so as to include the 
Isaac Vincent (Joseph T. Browuell), Sands Wing (John Perry) and 
Andrew J. Wing places. 

On the west side of the road and jioi'th of the Hathaway farm was a 
set-oft' to John Tinkham, whkh extended to the north corner of Old Dart- 
mouth near a bound stone called "Peaked Rock." 

On the east side of the road was a small tract owned by William Allen, 
which comprised 40 acres, was owned later by Vincents, and in 1904 
by Joseph Greenwood. The "Squire" Samuel Sprague house stood near 
the north edge of the Allen farm. It was surrounded by Pope land, 
except on the west it was bounded by the road. It was owned recently 
by Captain Jacob Taber. 

Next north was laid out an extensive farm to Stephen Sampson. It 
extended from the river east nearly to the Rochester line and was half 
a mile wide. 

The next layout was that of James Sampson, Jr., which comprised 
over 200 acres and extended from the river the same distance as the 
former. 



56 

Lonjif Plain village lies mostly in a layout to Thomas Taber, Jr. ; near 
its north line is the road to Rochester that passes Col. A. P. Robinson's 
farm. 

The next layout belonged to James Sampson and was of the same 
extent as the two previous Sampson farms; near the north line of this 
tract a road now called Quaker lane extended into Rochester. The 
Reuben Mason house is on this tract. 

Next came the Jonathan Hathaway tract comprising over 300 acres, 
and on the east side of the road approached nearly to the Rochester line. 
On this side a narrow strip laid out to Seth Spooner completed the Dart- 
mouth land layout to the line of Plymouth county. 

Quaker lane began at the main road near the boundary between the 
Sampson and Hathaway layouts and nearly half way to the Rochester 
line it crossed the homestead of Experience Holmes. In 1746 the parish 
of North Rochester was formed, and they purchased for the minister 40 
acres of the Holmes homestead, which lay north of Quaker lane and next 
west of the Rochester boundary. The T)arish farm was occupied over 40 
years by the minister, Rev. Thomas West, and after his death it was sold. 

The Rochester road further south was laid out near the line between 
the farms of James Sampson, Jr., and Thomas Taber, Jr., aiul extended 
in tlic l.iltcr end of its course through the homestead of Joseph Sampson, 
the east i)ar1 of which was later owned by Col. A. P. Robinson. 

On the west side of the Acushnet river, near the bridge, was the south 
end of the ^lill road which branched at Hall's corner, that extending to 
the west called the Road to Freetown, and the other the Way over Deep 
brook. 

First it crossed the Mill lot, whieh exlendeil to the north line of the 
present mill premises. 

Next north was the homestead of Mark Jeiniey that compi-ised over 
100 acres; bounded east by the river aiul extended north about to the 
White's Factory road. 

lioundiiiL: this on Ihc northcasl was a larui' trad of l(t7 acres laitl out 
to .loiui Spooner. .If., which extended northeast about to the top ol' 
Whehien or Ch.-ipel hill. 

Next was the l.i\ out to Sanniel Jenney wliicli exteiuled from the river 
northwestward and was crossed l)y the stream in the early tlays called 
Deep ])rook. It rose in the swamps north (»f the Peckham road and joined 
the Acushnet river near the Whelden stone nnll and furnished valuable 
water power in the fjeiniey premises. The Samuel -li'une.N house is that on 
^lorse's lane and the mill locations are directly o]>|iosite on the south side 
of the I'oad. 'I'his propeiMy. like all other owned by Sanniel .lenney at his 
death, was inherited by his daughtei'. the wil'e of Stephen West, -Ir.. who 
developed and established the mills on l)eep brook. 

Beyond the Jenne\- property were tracts laid t)ut to John Spooner 



57 

and at this point the original road turned north into a wood path and 
crossed the river over what is now the reservoir into Long Plain. 

Without attempting' to describe the numerous tracts of wild land 
between Deep brook and the Freetown line, two homesteads should be 
mentioned between Sassaquin pond and Rochester in the north part of the 
town. On the west side of the Acushnet river, extending into Freetown, 
is a way called "the Keene road." It extended through the middle of the 
tract set off to James Sampson, and by different conveyances in 1741 
came into the possession of Ebenezer Keene. His homestead is still stand- 
ing' on the west side of the road, and is owned by Michael Frank. The 
house was built in 1741. The north end of this homestead farm, which is 
the northernmost in the town, is still owned in the Keene family. 

West of the original Keene homestead farm and east of Sassaquin 
pond was an extensive tract purchased or set off in 1741 to William 
White. His homestead built that year is located about half a mile east of 
the Freetown road and nearly east from the entrance to Sassaquin pond. 
It. was owned by Calvin Harvey ; later by Charles Nestle. 




BUILDINGS ON THE TRIANGLE. 19C6. 
Second one, Pratt's tavern. Farther one, Capt. John Hawes' house. 



THE TRIANGLE The triangle plat of land, so called, is a three 

cornered tract in Acushnet Village, the southwest 
bound of Avhich is the river, the southeast line is the brook, a little east of 
the Methodist parsonage, which empties into the river, and the north 
boundarv is the road that crosses the river. It contained four acres and 



58 

was a part of the Samuel Jenney homestead. It went to Stephen West, 
Jr.. ill 17:38. 

1738. Slcplicii AVt'st, Jr., to Daniel Spooner. 

174(j. Spooner to Hpliraiin Keith; Keith to Paul ]\len(U'll. 

1748. Mench^ll t<» John Crandon, "shop keeper, my liomestead where 
I live." 1801, owned hy a Jolni Crandon, who mii.st liave l)een a de- 
scendant of the other "John." The capital letters refer to the present 
house lots, commencing at the river. 

Lot. A. 1810. John Crandon to Amos Pratt all hut I. 
1811. Pratt to William Kempton, A. B and C. "Beginning at a point 
in the .south line of the road 8 j-ods east of the .\. V). corner of the new 
store." lleiiee the store and house ou A was huilt alxuit 1810 1)\' Pratt, 
hut as neither liouse is mentioned it is tloubtful if houses on B and C 
were built. 

1819. Kemptoii hy execution to Levi Jenney: to 1. and S. Jenney. 

1827. Jenneys to William Kempton, "House and Buildings"; to 
Joseph Kempton hy inheritance. 

1832. Kemi)ton to Stephen Tal)er; 1836, He/.ekiah Allen. 

1860. ^lary Ann Allen to Russells. First building from the river. 

Lot B. ISII. Pratt to Kempton ; I8l(i. Smilh and Billingtoii. 
1829. William Kempton to Joseph Kempton. In 1816 deed from 
William Kempton to Smith and Billington, "my dwelling house where 
1 live," included. Second house east of river. 

Lot C. Went with "A" to I. & S. Jenney. 

1820. Jenneys to Lenuiel Russell: 1822, Allen Rus.sell. 

1838. Lemuel Russell to James Thomas; 1847, Mary Cummings. 

1850. Cummings to John R. Davis. Jr. 

In 1811). in execution from Kempton to .leiiuey. is iucliuled hou.se 
on lot (/, occupied by Worth Po|)e. It was prob;d)l\' built by Wm. Kemp- 
ton between Isll and 181!). The .joliii 1\. I)a\is house ami store, formerlv 
pope's tavern. 

Lot 1). ISKi. Set otf as dower t<t lietsy I'ratt, widow of Amos, 
and lot 1) is described as bt'longing to William Severance. But no deed to 
him. 

1817. Si'verance to Swift. N\ e and S|)ooner: 1818, Isaac Vincent. 

1828. IlMinphrey Hathaway: 18:)2, (um.. T. liussell; 1861, Joimthan 
P. White. 

1863. White to 1st Cong. Society; Lucy Clark. 

Lot Iv 1S.')2. Said to be owned by Margaret Hathaway. 
1863. ()wiie(| in some way by Samuel S. Wing and Cyrus K. Clark. 
1882. Clark hy devise to his cousin. Patience K. Jennings, 



59 

Lot F. 1817. Estate Amos Pratt to Silas Stetson, wlio livfd in 

house. 

1851. Stetson 1o Mclvin IT. True ; 1865, Jabez Wood. 

18()7. Job Sisson, Jr.; 1868, Sisson to Tlionias llcrsom, who owned 
and occupied the jireniises in 1906. 

Lot 0. 1817. Pratt to Silas Stetson, master mariner. 
1847. Stetson to School District No. 4 of Fairhaven. The town 
house on this lot in 1906. 

Lots II, I, J. 1801. John Crandon to brother Phili}), "where 
Philip has recently built a house." Land included lots H and I. 

1806. John Crandon to Philip Crandon, lot J. 

1811. I'hilip Crandon to Edward Dillingham, lots IT, I and J. 

1823. Dillingham to Nathaniel S. Spooner a lot 30 feet front and 45 
feet deep, where the latter built office, and ten years later conveyed back 
laud and building to Dillingham. 

1852. Dillingham devises lot H with "my sho}) or small dwelling 
house, where Sally Gifford lives," to Rebecca G. Sherman and Hannah 
D. Nye. 

Dillingham devised to Methodist Episcopal Society land and build- 
ings "where the Preacher, Bro. Paine, now resides," bounded north by 
road, east by Gideon Nye, Jr., south by Silas Stetson and west by Sally 
Gilford. This included lots 1 and J. 

Probably the house where "Bro. Paine" lived was that built by Philip 
Crandon in 1800-1801. 

I is the Methodist parsonage lot ; H is the one between that and the 
town house lot, and J is in the rear of the parsonage house. 

THE MILL LOT, ETC. The "Mill lot" w^as a tract of land situated 

on both sides of the river at the Acushnet 
village bridge, reserved in the original layout for a mill site. The follow- 
ing are titles of the part of the "Mill lot" east of the river, and the pres- 
ent house lots eastward of that, on the north side of the road, to Precinct 
cemetery. The initial letters indicate the present house lots. 

Lot A. This part of the "Mill lot" was owned by Edward Wing 
in 1800. 

1817. Edward Wing to Judge Nathaniel S. Spooner, wdio later built 
the dwelling house now upon it. This property is now in possession of 
heirs of George T. Russell, Sr., and occupied by Abram L. Dillingham. 

Lot B. Part of "INIill lot." Before the Revolutionary AVar was 
the homestead of Lemuel Mendall and his ancestors. 
1774. Lemuel Mendall to Andrew Ritchie. 



60 

179"). Ritchie to Benjamin Cummings; 1796, to John Ilawes — the 
west part. 

182;i. lien.jaiiiin Dillinyham to John Hawes — east part. 

1835. ^lary and Elizabeth F. Ilawes to Lemuel Russell, ''the home- 
stead" of the late Capt. John Ilawes. Later it was owned by George T. 
Russell, 8r. It was in possession of his lieirs in 1906 and occupied by his 
son, Henry T., and daughter, Robie D. Russell. 

Lot C. J'art of "MilUot." 
1785. Lemuel ^lendall to Benjamin DilliiiLiliam. 

1841. Dillingham heirs to Edward W. Collins. Owned and occupied 
by heirs of Hannaniah 'Collins in 1907. 

Lot I). West part of Samuel Jenney lot, and hy him sold to 
Samuel Hunt, who built gaiiibrel i-oof house at foot of Meeting House Hill. 

1719. Hunt to .Josei)h Clark; 1723, Clark to Isaac Nye. 

1730. Xye to Bartholomew West. 

1799. William West to John Hawes all between the Summerton 
place and the Lemuel ^lendall or "^lill" lot. 

1828. ]\Iary and William Ilawes to Samuel Pierce. 

1858. Capt. Richard W. Hathaway, whose wife was a daughter of 
Pierce, bought out the other heirs. 

1872. Hathaway to Charles L. Keiiyon. tlie owner and occupant 
ill 1906. 

L..t E. Title same as "D" till 1801. 
18(11. -lohii Ilawes to Seth Bumpus. 

1848. Bumpus' widow and Isaac Vincent to Samiud B. Hamlin, 
whose son, James B. Hamlin, owned and occupied it in 1906. 

Lot F. Title same as "D" till 1849. 

1849. S.iiiniel I'ierce to Town of Fairhaveii. "lot whereon his car- 
penter's sho|) stoo(l.'" It was used as an engine house. The town of 
Aeiishiiet sold it to Charles L. Keiiyoii. 

Lot (J. Title same as "D"" till 1S36. 

1836. Samuel I'iei'ee to (Jideon Xye. (Jideon Nye's lu'irs to CJeorge 
F. liartlett; later Dr. Fred B. Xesbitt. and now Lizzietta E. Ashley. 

Lot II. Title same as "D" till ISll. 
isll. .loliii lliiwes to Obed Xye. .Jonathan Danforth, John Perry. 
John Wa<l\. Daniel Summerton and Zaeheiis Cnshman. trustees of !M. E. 
('hui-cli. The lot on which the ^Methodist Church iuiw stands. 

Lot I. Title same as '■ D" till 17.")."). 
1755. li.iit lioloiiiew West to Daniel Summerton. 

1814. Sumiiiertou to lluiii|>hi-e\- Ibithaway. Hathaway heirs to 
George T. Russell. Sr.. whose heirs were the owners in 1906. 



61 




Photo, by A. H. MacCreaiy. Pliila. 
ACUSHNET RIVER, 
Looking towards the Village Bridge. 



ACUSHNET RIVER Before the New Bedford Water Works trans- 

AND ITS TRIBUTARIES formed the upper Acushnet into a reservoir, 

it appears to have been a long, narrovr pond 
north of the road which crossed it at Ansel White 's shop. At the Freetown 
line it Avas only a small brook, and at that point in 1730 was some sort of 
an object called "the beaver dam." Where Ansel White's mills stood was 
originally Young's dam. It was set off to James Sampson, and in 1715 
transferred to Anthony Young. Mills were established at this point and 
owned in 1716 by Tisdale and Gage, 1720 George Brownell, 1765 Daniel 
Hunt, 1768 Nathan and Nicholas Davis, 1776 Abraham Davis, 1784 
Ebenezer Allen, and in 1818 Ansel White acquired the entire property. 

A short distance south in 1725 Jeremiah Bennett had a mill on the 
east side of the river, but the same must have been a teniporary affair, as 
the records contain only a single mention concerning it. 

Between Long Plain Village and the Head of the River is Deep 
Brook, which rises in the swamps in the north part of the town. It fur- 
nished extensive and valuable water power early in the history of the 
village. The land was set off to Samuel Jenney and was later owned by 
Stephen West, Jr. 1738 West conveyed to James Fuller, ' ' bloomer, "twenty- 
four acres near the new forge, and the same year West conveyed to 
Christopher Turner one-fourth of the forge. It seems that iron ore existed 
in a swampy tract a short distance north of the location of this forge. In 
1749 Stephen Taber acquired the entire property, both water power and 
farm adjoining, and the same remained in his family many years. In 



62 



recent years the farmhouse M^as owned by Capt. Godfrey JNIa comber, and 
the factory. Avhich has become a saw mill, for a iinml)er of years has been 
owned ;in(l conducted l)v the ^Morses, and in l^Of) l)v Willinin (J. Taber. 




RUINS OK WHELDEN' COTfON KACTORV 
Erected about 1815. 



A shoi't distance soutli of its junction with \)i-i'\) ]\nu)k is ;i slonc mill, 
which ill recent years has l)econie a ruin. It was estalilished in ISbl by 
Joseph Wlieldeii. and in 1S18 its owners were Joseph Whelden. .lob (Jray, 
Jr., Reuben JNlason. Jjoum Snow. Jireh and Jonathan Swift. After ]>assin«r 
throutrh several conveyances in 1S(>() it was conveyed l)y Sylvanus Thomas 
to the City of New Hedford. which jjurehased the jirojierty rather than 
pay tile damajres on account of the diminution in water ])ower due to tiie 
use of the water above that i)oint for nnmiciiial purposes. 

A Well known enterprise still further south is comnionly kiu)wn as 
"White's Factory." or the "Hamlin Mill." 'J'he hind was formerly owned 
l)y John Spooiiei". ;ind in 174() was convex cd to Saniiiel Ilannnond. In 1778 
a "new niill-daiii" had liecn l)uilt and in 17!Mi Moses Washburn sold to 
"William White three-(iuarters of the saw-mill near Colonels Pope and 



63 

Kemptou, with a passageway through Kempton's land. This was the 
modern White FMctory road. Tii 1790 Edward Pope sold to Joseph 
Whelden the u!)])er jurist mill, which Samuel Hammond conveyed to 
Thomas Pope in 1751. 1811, William White to Joseph Whelden two acres 
and a cotton factory. 1814, Whelden to William White, Jr., an interest 
in the dam, two houses, grist mill, saw mill, dye house, cotton factory and 
machinery. In 1863 the entire property was purchased by the late Samuel 
B. Hamlin. Only the saw mill has been operated for many years. 

The mill privilege on the north side of the road at the Head of the 
River has always been an important property. Land was set off to cer- 
tain persons as an inducement to build a mill in the early years of the set- 
tlement. The owners in 1725 were Samuel Hunt, George Babcock, 
Jonathan Hathaway, Joseph Taber, Nathaniel Shepherd and Stephen 
West, and mill land was on both sides of the river. In a deed in 1798 from 
Stephen Taber to William Rotch, Jr.,it appears that there was a sawmill and 
corn mill on the west side of the river ; the latter has long disappeared, but 
the saw mill still continues. Before his decease Colonel Samuel Willis 
owned a large proportion of the privilege and of the land on both sides 
of the river. On the east side have flourished several industries. In 1789 
Simpson Hart conveyed to Isaac Terry land for a blacksmith business, and 
the year following Terry conveyed to William W^hite the forge and shop 
that he bought of Hart. In 1794 J. Hathaway sold to Hart land on which 
stood the tan works south of Isaac Terry's iron works. The forge ceased 
to be used many years ago. Judge Nathaniel S. Spooner conducted a 
grist mill at the corner of the road and river, and the building was taken 
down in 1903. 

On the stream which crosses the Long Plain road about a mile and 
a half north of the Head of the River, on the place owned by :\[oses S. 
Douglass, is a privilege formerly called " Taber 's Mill." It may have been 
used by Capt. Thomas Taber. In 1750, when John Talker divided his 
home.stead farm, this mill was in the south third, and went to his son 
Amaziah with the fulling mill. dAvelling house, smith's shop and seventy 
acres of land. It later became owned by a grandson named Thomas Wood, 
and in 1874 was conveyed to Moses S. Douglass, and in 1905 was owned 
and conducted by Henry Cushman. 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR Only a little over a century after the burning 

of the dwellings of Acushnet by the Indians 
the inhabitants within the bounds of our town again suffered from terror 
and the torch. As soon as the tocsin of the Revolutionary War sounded 
Old Dartmouth indicated lier purpose to resist the tyranny of the mother 
country. The inhabitants of the Acushnet section of the town resolutely 
resolved that, "survive or perish,'" they were determined to be American 
patriots from the beginning of the terrific struggle for liberty till its close. 



64 

The women of Acushnet were in the vanjriiard and joined the men in the 
first show of resistance by refusiiiir to drink tea. which every patriot 
dechired was iin.jiistl\' taxed. Encouraiicd hy this total abstinence niove- 
ni(»nt. the men had an artiek' inserted in the warrant for a town meeting: 
.Inly IS. 1774. 

"F(ir s(l Tow II at s(l Meetinj»: to a(h)pt sneh methods as they sliall 
think Best lo prcMiit the nse of Bohea tea in sd town for the fntnre." 
It was s(» voted, and at the same meeting- it was also voted to 

"Boycott all ai'ticlcs maiiiit'actiircd in (Iri'at Britain and 
Ireland. " 

Besides this the women cheerfully atrreed to "stay by the stutf" if 
the iiicii would l;(i to the iVoiit. all of which was of an enthnsin«r character 
and ^avt' a now<'i'ful infiuence and impetus to the cause of |)a1riotism 

hel'cal)outs. 

An inipoi-taiit matter l)efoi-e tlu^ town meetinsi' of -Inly IS, 1774. was 
to decide what steps should be taken in i-euard to settliuir oppressive 
restrictions of the English iiovernment. "Ilonoi-able Walter Spooner 
es(|." was chosen moderator. A committee iucludinj:' Honorable Walter 
Sjjooner, Es(i., Capt. Seth Pope, Seth Hathaway and Hainianiah Cornish, 
all of this town, were appointed to pi-epare an order of i)usiness for the 
meetinir. 

Later a "committee of correspoiideiiee to serve with the other com- 
mittees of coi-i-esi)ondence in America" was chosen, which included Cant. 
Seth Pope. Ilainianiah Cornish and Jireh Swift, -If. 

At a town meeliiiL; held Jan. 7. 177.'). a committee of twent.v-one per- 
sons were chosen by advice of the count\' congress, previously held in 
Taunton, to advise and consult with other similar deleirations upon mat- 
ters in i-elation to the Revolutiouarx' sti'u»:.i:le. In this committee were 
Capt. Philip Taber, Capt. Seth Pope and Capt. Thomas Crandon of this 
town. 

On the l!>th of April, 177."). Paul Revere and other messenjrers rode 
in ever\' dii'eclioii fi-oin Boston. s|)i'eadinL; the direful intellitivuce tiiat 
open hostilities had coiiinieiiced. One of these rode southward through 
]\liddlel)oro. Loni: Plain and .\cMslinet \'illai:e to liedford X'illaiit'. sound- 
iim ihe alartii and callinti- "to arms"" as he dashed alon>;. Three com- 
panies of minute men fiMuu the loyal citizens of Dartmouth were soon 
ready to march. The rallying point of the Acushnet volunteers was at 
the bridire. On Ai)ril '2\. only two days after the attack on Lexin<rton. 
these three companies of lu-rot's started from Swift's cornel-, in the villa<:e. 
and marched up the "post road.'" by Partin<^ Ways, throu^di Lon<r i'lain 
to the ireneral rcnde/.voiis of the American army at Roxbury. 

Dartmouth I'nrnished a lai-iz'e uumbei- of men for 1 he civii- and militai\\- 
part of the stiMmiile. and while Bedford Villa^'c neithei- owned nor fitted 
out piMvaleers. Dai-tmouth furnished many darinuand efhcient iiu'u in this 
service, and manv of the vessels eu'ra-red in the l)usiness rendezvoused in 



65 

l^xMlfoi'd hiirlxu". The loyalty maiiiiVstcd hy llic |)('(»])l(' of Dartmouth in 
tilt' ways ali-cady tiiciitioiicd became well known to the Hritisli, who 
deliberately planned to retaliate and to punish, il* possible, those who wei-e 
devoted b>' woi'd and deed to their country's cause. Tlu; otticials of I)ai*t- 
mouth soon obtained knowlodjie of this ])ur]K)se. 

Api)rehendin^' a naval attack, Dartmouth wisely ap|)ointe(l a Com- 
mittee of Safety to look after the welfare of llie jx-ople. Obed "Ney" 
(N\'e) of Acushnet was on this committee. They posted in public places 
notices urging' the inhabitants to immediately cause all goods, wares and 
merchandise that were private property and not necessary for present 
subsistence to be iiioxcd into the interior, or some safe place. ]\Iany 
heeded the warning- and carried their bulk}^ effects of value up to Roches- 
ter, Freetown and Lakeville. Small articles of value were buried in the 
earth, or lowered into wells, or secreted in some place where their discov- 
ery seemed improl)able. Even wdiile this work was going on the dreaded 
event opened upon the terrified community. 

Saturday, Sept. 5, 1778, commenced one of the gloomiest acts in the 
histor.y of this locality since the Indian holocaust in 1676. This and the 
following day, the Sabbath, were Jiours of tremendous anxiety 
and fearful unrest. Everybody was panic-stricken and filled 
w^ith dread of the impending danger to person and property. 
On the morning of this fateful Saturday the beautiful inner harbor 
of Bedford was full of all sizes and description of vessels : fishermen, 
merchantmen, whalemen, privateers and prizes. Storehouses at Bedford, 
Pairhaven, Belleville and Acushnet were full of merchandise. These were 
an easy prey for the enemy, and they w^ere conscious of it. The 
public defence of the i)ort consisted of only eleven cannon mounted on 
wooden platforms, where Fort Phenix now stands, and a company of 22 
men to work them. Tmo more guns were mounted at Clark's Point. 
These, wnth the knowledge that hundreds of organized minute men could 
be summoned and reach the harbor in a few hours to repel the landing of 
a naval force, led the authorities heretofore to feel comparatively secure. 
Alas, they awoke on that Saturday morning unprepared for a terrible 
event wdiich was at theii- dooi's. At the southeastern entrance to Buzzards 
bay w^as an approaching Bi'itish fleet which sailed from New London, 
Conn., on the day before. A merciless foe, consisting of two frigates, an 
eighteen gun brig-of-wai', six transports in command of ]\Iajor General 
Charles Grey. Tlie orders is^^ued the day previous by General Grey, from 
which the following is an extract, are characteristic of the man and sliow 
his contempt foi' the Amei-ican ])eople: 

On Board the Carysfort, 
* # # * # ^ September 4, 1778. 

When the enemy are so posted that they can ])o got at, the ]\Ia.jor- 
General commands the troops that are ordered to attack them to 



66 

mareh vigorously up. and receive their fire, till they eonie very elose. 
and upon every ])roper opportunity they are to rush upon the enemy, 
with their hayonets, imuKHliately after they have thrown in their tire, 
without waiting to load again: in which method of attack, the 
sui)erior courage aiul strength of the trooj)s must always he crowned 
■with glory and success. The Major-! Jeneral is impressed with every 
assurance, that the officers and men are so thoroughly convinced of 
the great advantage lliry iuive over the eneiii\ in the mode of fighting, 
and their great zeal for the service, thai the prt'sent expedition 
cannot fail of success, hut tlo them honor, and answer the expecta- 
tions of the comander-in-chief. whose opinion of these troops cainu)t 
he more strongly manifested than l)y sending them upon this essential 
service. In case of had weathei'. or other accidents, that any of the 
transjiorts should he separated from the fleet and fall in with a 
])rivateer. so as to make an escape impossil)le. Avhich may not he 
uidikel.w many small ones heing luckiiii: iiboiil upon the waleli. llie 
Major-deneral desires the commanding ofticei" of each ti'anspoi-1 
would oblige the captain of the sliij) to hear immediately down upon 
such ])rivateer, ruiuiing him directly and without delay on hoard, 
the troops heing ready at the ci-itieal moment to entei- and take 
])Ossession of the vessel. This heing properly done. Avill ever succeed, 
the enemy not heing aware of such an attack, and the troops so 
superior in every respect to i)ut in execution. 

The commanding officers are to he answerahle thai no houses or 
harns are set on fire hy the soldiei-s. iniless by particular oi-dei's fi-om 
.Ma,)or-(feneral CJrey. 

ijy Command of 

:\IAJ. (iEN. (UIARLKS (JREY. 

The fleet anchored otlt" Clark's Point ahout noon, and prejiarations 
were at once made for the memorable invasion. 

Elijah INFacomber related how the information of the appi'oaeh of 
the British fleet into the ])ay reached Fort Thenix. He saitl that about 
one o'clock )). m. on Saturday. Sept. a. Worth Bates, who lived at a ])lace 
on the Bedford side, called ^rcPherson's wliarl' (now r.elleville . ;ind who 
had been (Mil fishing, landed ;i1 lhe fori ill bis bojit ;iii<l ilifoi-iiied the 
captain (Tiiiiotbx 1 iiLifabaiii i tlnil a British lleel of :>() s;iils was in ibe 
ba\- moving:- towanis Clark's Point. .Mr. .Ma<'oiiibe!' was iM yenrs ol' age 
;il Ibis time and was i'roiii .March to I )i'ceiiiber. 177S. one of llic troops that 
garrisoned llie loi't. therefore he was r,iiiiili;ir with all the details there 
and the niovemeiil ol' his com])auy after the fort was e\aciiated. His siib- 
se(|iieiit relation of tbe existiii!.; atVair is Ljiven t)elow. 

.\s soon as it bec.iiiic known at beathpiarlers that the tieel was 
a|)i)roaehin!.;- tbe b.irbor messeniici-s were dispatched in every directi(Ui to 
c;irr\' the ;ilariiiiiiL: tidings. One of tbese rode tbe |eni:lb of .\cuslinet 
urgiuu' every able-b()dii'<l iii.in to seize bis llintlock ami re|)ort ,it the 
])ridue in tlu; village innncdi;itel\ .iiid w.irniiiL; boiisekeepers to llee with 
Ibeir cbildrcii ;iii(| \;i 1 ii;ibles to ;i pbice of sjifety. 

Tbere wefi' \rv\ few iiieii ill .\ciishiiet at that time to res|)oiid to the 



67 

call. Many of them were of tlie Friends' society, who refused to l)ear 
arms, and most ol' llie othci- a])le-])odied men were already at the front. 
In many of the houses there were only women, wlio "staid by the stuff" 
with tlie children, as they promised their husl)aii(ls. Other houses had 
been vacated. Some of the women and children, i1 is rehited to me, yoked 
the oxen to the farm cart, filled it with the juost valuable household 
articles and drove into the densest forest for safety. 

The oidy military at Bedford Village to i-esist the landing' of the 
enemy was a detachment of a light battery. Tlic battery with 80 men had 
been sent down to (.larlc's Point from Boston some time ni-evions to this. 
Unfortunately, the whole battery had been or-dered to Howland's Ferr\' 
(Stone Bridge) a few days previous to the api)r()ach of the enemy's fleet 
to the bay. Fortunately, a detachment of the battery with one gun, in 
command of the brave and heroic Lieutenants William Gordon and James 
]\Ietcalf, returned on the morning of the day of the invasion. The out- 
look must have been a])palling to this handful of untrained men as they 
faced the host of 4,000 regulars of the British army and navy filled with 
the spirit of war and devastation. Events demonstrate that these young 
American i")atriots were no cowards, that they possessed the "give me 
liberty or give me death" spirit of Patrick Henry. 

Lieutenant "William Gordon afterwards became a pi-ominent citizen 
of Acushnet, and Lieutenant James Metcalf's body was soon after laid 
in the Precinct cemetery at Parting Ways. 

It must have been after sundown before the army started, for Gen. 
Grey reported that the debarkation of the troops at Clark's Cove did not 
begin till five o'clock. The marauders immediately commenced their 
work of destruction in the harbor and on the line of their march to and 
through Acushnet Village and down Fairhaven road, ^lain street and 
Adams street to Sconticut Neck, where they re-embarked the next day. 
Soon the night was made lurid with a tremendous conflagration, covering 
the inner harbor and extending the length of the charming Acushnet 
river, consuming the shipping, and the accumulations and homes of resi- 
dents along its prosperous shores. From the cove the horde marched u\) 
County street and divided at Union street, a part going to the river, where 
they destroyed some of the business portion of the village and the ship- 
ping, and the balance proceeded northward towards Acushnet, over tlu' 
same way that Capt. Chui'ch with his band of Indian captives marched 
about a century before. 

Let us return to the little one gun battery. Thei-e is ;i well estab- 
lished tradition that one of its officers, Lieueiiaiit William (iordon. while 
on the Avatch for the etu'itiy down in Bedfoi'd \'illage, was attracted into 
the house of Caleb Russell. The inducement to entei- was a powerful one 
to a hiuigry soldier. He saw within, steaming hot Indian ])udding served 
on pewtei- jilatters foi- the occasion. The temiitation was irresistible. The 



68 

lieiitonaiit had evi<leiitly miseak'nlAtcd tlie location of tho British, for as 
he was in the act of hclpiiitr himself to the delicious contents of a 
platter an ahinii sounded, lie sprang to his feet, rushed out of doors, 
and was soon a pi'isoner of war. the first cai)ture made hy the enemy in 
tliat eventful i-aid. The British (loul)tless exulted over their prize. ])ut 
did Udf realize tli;il il cdnipi-ist'd one halt" of the commissioned officers of 
the trooj)s that were resisting; tlii-ir j)rog:ress. Tlieir cause foi- rejoicing 
was brief, however, atid fortunate for the Yankee boys it was. The «ral- 
lanl lieutenant closely watched his captors, and in an opportune moment 
leaped a wall, tied into the woods and was soon with ids battei\\-. About 
this tinu' Captain Cushing, the conunander of the l)attery. appeared on 
the scene. As has been stated, he was at TTowlaiul's Ferry when the 
enemy's fleet was approaching Bedford harbor. Receiving intelligence of 
this evi'iit he flew with all possible speed to join the detachment of his 
connnand that was left here, as Hheridan did from Winchester, but un- 
like Sheridan, Gushing failed to "save the day." 

As this small detachnicnt of our brave forces with ils one mounted 
gun drawn by a yoke of oxen Avere forced northward on the County 
road, now Acushnet avenue, they were rai)idly reinforced hy vohniteers 
from Acushnet, FreetoAvn and the north end of New Bedford, and these 
home defenders that dreadful night made to the advancing host of 
4,000 the strongest possible showinir of their inimbers. jiower of resistance 
and coni'age. 

Tills dciiionst rat ion of \alor and patriotism i-ncourageil Cai)tain 
CushiuL; and his Lientenants. Metcalf and Cordon, to decide to make a 
bold stand at the \illaL:c bi'iilge and resist an attemj)t of tiie enemy to 
cross the river and invade the "sacred soil" of .\cnshnet. This proposi- 
tion met with the bi'ave. enthusiastic approval of the mnnerous heroes 
that had gathered there to drive back the advancing foe — a hopeless task. 
. Ca])tain Gushing ordered the bridge torn up and in various other ways 
prepai-eil \'<>v an engagement with the enemy, whii-h was slowly advancing 
in tlif niooidiijlit . 

l-'i'oMi what is known it seems cleai' to my mind thai wlicii the head 
f)f the enemy's cojiinni tiled right at Lnnd's corner, the intrepid Yankees 
had the one gun liat1er\' in jxtsition in the road west ol' the hridge. and 
they were in battle ai'i'ay in its rear, on its flanks and on the hills which 
lie on both sides of the highway, and that here they made a determined, 
des])erate resistance to the enemy's purpose to cross tlie river. As they 
stood there in almost breathless silence as tin- enemy's host advanced, 
they must have seriously wondered 

''Who at till' hridge would be tirst to fall. 
Who that night would be lying dead. 
rier<'ed by a l^ritish unisket ball." 

It is my belief that at this point, at the midnight hour of Saturday. 



69 

Sei)teiii])<'i- tlu' fifth. 177.S, ;i Ijloody battle was fouylit. Thougli such an 
affair is not (listiiictly of i-ccord, the tradition that- an engagement with 
fatal I'csults did oecui- in tliis immediate locality is strongly supported 
l)y the following and othei- evidence. The report of General Grey con- 
cerning the raid, to his siiix'rioi- officer, (Jen. Sir Henry Clinton, contains 
this [)aragraph : 

"The enemy's loss, whi(di came to my knowledge, was an officer 
and 3 men killed by the advancing [)arties of light infantry who on 
receiving a fire from their enclosures, rushed on with their bayonets. 
Sixteen were brought prisoners from Bedford to exchange for that 
number missing from the troops. 

Charles Grey, M. G." 

He reported one killed, four wounded and sixteen missing of the 
British forces. 

Furthermore one who was living at the time, a man of intelligence, 
related to a person well known to the writer that "near the Head-of-the- 
river Lieutenant ]\Ietcalf of the state artillery company was badly wounded 
and died soon after." Capt. Lemuel Akin of Fairhaven stated that "it 
was at Acushnet Village that Lieutenant Metcalf was mortally wounded." 

Again, Gen. Grey states that his infantry received a fire from the 
enemy's "enclosures", which were doubtless the hills near the bridge 
already referred to. It is stated that Lieut. Metcalf was secreted till 
the enemy's colunni had passed over the bridge, when he was carried 
by his men to the headquarters of the company, North AVater near Union 
street. New Bedford, where John Gilbert of that village wrote that he saw 
him the next day. Metcalf died the third day after he was wounded. 
"I attended his funeral," wrote Gilbert. 

His comrades mournfully bore his lifeless body over the County road 
along which he was driven by the foe only a few days previous; over the 
village bridge near which he became a sacrifice for the cause he had 
nobly espoused ; up to the Meeting House green and there in the Precinct 
cemetery, amid strangers in a strange laiul, with no loved one near, they 
"buried him with military honors." There is no tombstone, nothing to 
indicate 

"The grave where our hero lies buried." 

Had there been in Bedford Village at that time an enterprising daily 
newspaper and connected with it a reporter of 1907 model there would 
pi'obably have been issued that fateful Sunday morning an extra, with a 
startling, mammoth headline announcing The Battle of Acushnet Bridge, 
and l)eneath it the thrilling intelligence that an American officer Avas 
mortally wounded, four men wounded, sixteen missing and sixteen pris- 
oners of war. The enemy are advancing into Acushnet. 

It is a reasonable supposition that when our heroic men found it was 
useless to longer engage the enemy that they withdrew, not across the 



70 

river, for they liad cut off their Avay of retreat in tliat (linilidu by tearin*,' 

up the briduc hut u|) the Mill nuid. With tliciii they cMrricd "tlu'ir 
wounded liieuteuant and eoinrades and cared for lliciii till the ciiiMuy dis- 
appcMi'iMl aci'oss the river." 'I'he oidy priut(Ml iid'oniial ion now jxts.sessed 
of llie Miiiiilicr of A iin'rii-ans woinidiMJ in lliis ciiciHinlcr is that i:i\'en in 
(len. (ii'ey's I'epoi't. hut pei'soiis who wci-c well ac(|uain1iM| \\illi nicii who 
were Jiviny in Kevolutionai'v wai' days ha\i' staled 1o llu- wi'ilcr that 
the former assui-ed tlu-iu the niiniber ol' our wounded was greater tllan 
given by Gen. Grey. 

It is to be regretted that there is nothing more known of the details 
of this memorable event: AVlu) were thei-e: how lon<i and courageousl.v 
the}' stood to "save the day": who wei-e injui-fd mid cjiptured; where 
Ihey i)assed the balance of llic niuiit ; scenes at tlu' (h-ath. and the burial 
of the lu'roic Metcalf in a now unknown grave. It is a glorious fact, 
however, that 

"Theirs is a deathless heritage: their deeds 

l^htssom. like flowers, upon the page of time; 
xVnd whether told in prose, or gloAving rhyme. 
Seem writ in shining gohl to Iniu tiud reads." 

The l>ritisli probably renudned in the road aiul upon thr fields west 
of the J'i\('r the bahmce of the niulit. ineantiine relax iui; the bridge. 
and were prepared soon after the dawn oL' the Lord's day to ei-oss the 
rivei- and continue the havoc of war. 

In some uiauuseripts of Cajit. Lemuel Akin, then liviii>.' in Faii'haven. 
is lonnd the foHowing interesting narrative of what occurred on tlu^ 
marcli of the eiuuny througli Acnshnet on that eventful Sabbath, 'i'he 
writer states that after the eueiuuder at the i-ivei- crossing. 

"A party left the main ImmIv. and w<'ut north as lai- as the old 
gamlirebro(»fed house of Doctor Tobey. still standing. I helieve it 
was a general baking day in these parts. f(U" llu'i'e the\' found in the 
cellar an oven full of l)read. and pork and beans. '^Plu'se they soon 
dispatelied. and rolilxMl the house of A\liat they wanted, aiul endeav- 
ored to destroy the rest. But the Bi'itish |)ilfei'ers in going down the 
cellar bd't the door wide open, ami that effectually pi-evented their 
seeing another docu' immediately behind it. leadiui; to a iduni where 
their most valuable clothing was dejxisited. and by that means was 
saved. Anothei- instance of the same kind oecui-red at iiai'tholoniew 
Taber's." 

They burned several houses at the lu-ad of the river, among 
othei-s one belonging to Captain Craiulon. who. to revenL;-e himself on . 
the liritish mai-audei-s. wonld not suffer his new house to be placed 
over his old cellar. m)r sulTer the cellai- to be tilled up. until his son. 
having the managenuuit in some nu'asnre of his father's business, 
accomplished it. 

It was at Acushiu't \'illage that Lieuteiuiid ^letealf was moi'tally 
wouiuled. lie was from lit>ston, aiul belongt'd to the Continental 
armv. 



71 

The first l)uil(lin,ii tlicv hiinicd mI'I.t Icaviiiii' the head of the river 
was a house on the preinises now owned by David Russell, tlieii oeeu- 
pied l)v ('oh)nel Edward Pope. Eldad Tapper, a Tory, and well 
aecpiainted in these i)arts. aeted as their guide, and could inform them 
of all holding otiiee or eommissions. As they proceeded s()nth, and 
near \)v. liiey came to Stephen and Thomas llathaway's. The latter 
was a inan of handsome property in those days, and without eluldren; 
but he had a ward living with him. Jonathan Kempton, who event- 
ually inhei-ited it. At the time the tleet anchored he was at the lower 
eiurof Sconticut Neck: and left inunediately for home to remove the 
jiousehold furniture to a place of safety. After ])acking' up, he took 
a small ti-unk. containing ({uite a valuable quantity of silver plate; 
and as he stepped to the door to leave the house, he was met hy their 
advance guard, who told him they would relieve him from any further 
care of t'lie trunk. After taking what things they wanted from the 
house, thev collected beds and bedding in a chamber, and set fire to 
them, and" very luckily sliut the doors. They took Mr. Kempton a 
Iirisouer. and told him they should carry him to New York. He 
entreated them to let him have his liberty. After carrying him to the 
end of a long lane leading to the house, they consented, after taking 
one of tlie two pairs of breeches that he had on — that he had two on 
they knew from having robbed him of his watch: but they informed 
him thev must fire at him as a deserter, which they did. but whether 
with an" intention of hitting him or not, he never knew. The ball, 
however, hit a large cherry tree, one of a number that lined a long 
passage or lane leading to^he house. Mr. Kempton returned to the 
house in time to extinguish the fire. 

They proceeded on in something of a hurry, burning now and 
then a house or a store, and destroying property and frightening men, 
women and children, who generally. Indiandike, fled to the woods 
with what little they could carry for safety. 

Capt. Thomas Crandon was actively identified with our army and all 
such persons were marked for the destruction of their property. His 
dwelling house was on the south side of the road east of the bridge. It 
stood on the spot where the fifth building from the bridge now stands, a 
house occupied by Walter R. Spooner, on a lot marked E described in a 
subsequent article on "The Triangle." 

Tradition that appears reliable is that they burned the house of 
Stephen West, which stood on the top of the hill nearly opposite the 
Precinct cemetery. This property was later owned by George F. Bartlett, 
Avho was at one time collector of the port of New Bedford. IMr. Bartlett 
made careful investigation of this matter and was satisfied beyond a doubt 
that the tradition was a fact. 

After leaving Thomas IIathawa\'s i)lace they burned a grocery store 
l)elonging to Sergt. ]\Iicah or Obed Hathaway, which stood near a well 
that i's now in the highway, on its east side, about 400 feet north of the 
town line. Eldad Tupper knew that several of the Ilathaways were 
serving in the American army. This knowledge he, of course, imparted 
to the British, which caused them to deal especially severe with members 



72 

of their families and tlieir j)roperty. They luai-eheel from the south line 
of Aciishnet over what is now J\lain and Adams streets. On the latter 
street they burned Bartholomew West's house, that stood on the ruins of 
John Cooke's dwellino-, Avhich the Indians l)urned 100 years before. Next 
they applied the lorcli lo a store stocked with merchandise, standing 
nearly opposite to what is now the residence of P^dwai'd A. Dana's heirs. 
The store was the jjroperty of Cai)t. Obed Nye, father of ]\Irs. Dana. Coins 
and other relics have since been found there. 

Near here the detachment of the enemy that demolished Fort Phenix 
may have joined the main column. In this connection Elijah J\Iacom- 
ber's statement of the movements of this detachment will be interesting 
reading. He related that : 

"A little before 9 o'clock, after some of the vessels which had 
been set on fire on the New Bedford side of the river had drifted 
down towards the fort, the detachment which had landed on the east 
side of the river near Fort Phenix, advanced npon the fort. Two 
guns were tired upon the fleet and after spiking the guns the 
■garrison retreated to the north leaving their colors flying. The 
British, supposing the fort to be still garrisoned, opened a heavy fire 
upon it, but not being answered with a return fire, soon ceased. 

"The garrison men arranged along a low stoiu' wall a short 
distance to the north of the fort waiting to discover the exact position 
of the enemy in order to make their retreat successful. They were 
soon discovered by the Bi'itish, who opened fire npon them and 
wouiuled a man by the name of Robert Crossman, a ball passing 
tln-ougli one wrist and across the other. A hasty retreat was then 
commenced and the enemy, not knowing the exact position or strength 
of the Americans, did not make a vigorous })ursuit. 

"The wdiole garrison, with the exception of the wounded man 
and two others, John Skiff and his father, who were taken pi-isonei's, 
siu'ceeded in making theii* escajie to the woods, whicdi were some 
distance n(»rth of Fairhaven, where they lay through the inght and 
nnlil the British had j)asse(i them on theii' way from the head-ol'-the- 
river. 

"Uel'ore the fort was evacuated a ti'ain of |)owder was |)laced 
IVom the maga/Jne to the platform. The British entertMl the fort, 
and after destroying the ranu'ods. sponges, etc.. titnched a niatfh to 
the train of powder and blew up the magazine, Init probably sooiiei- 
than Avas intended, because at least one man was destroyed by the 
explosion, as fragments of his gun, cap and accoutrements were after- 
wards found nearby. 

"After bui'uing tln^ bai-racks. guai'd-house and other buildings 
connected with the fort, tlu^ detachment moved noi-fhward, desti'oy- 
ing vessels, stores, etc., and foi-med a junction with the detachment 
whicli l.iiided on tlie west side of tiie i'i\-ei'. somcwhei'e iie:ii' the head 
of Acnslinet. 

After the demolition of the fort they followed the river bank uj) to 
the wharves at Oxford, destroying j)roperty. while the work of destruc- 
tion was going on on the west side of the river, and remained in that 



I 



73 

locality till their comrades came down from Acnslinet Village the follow- 
ing morning-. Meantime, Captain Ingraham's company was probably 
watching from their cover the movements of the enemy indicated by the 
trail of fire they left behind them and (M)nclnded their plan was to cross 
the stream at the head-of-the-river and join the detachment at Fairhaven. 
Capt. Ingraham decided the better part of valor was to remain secreted 
where they were till the enemy passed by them to Sconticut Neck. This 
prevented Captain Ingraham from re-enforcing the brave band in the 
encounter at our village bridge. 

After leaving the Dana farm the incendiaries applied the torch to a 
schoolhouse near the head of Mill road, which was consumed. Down 
nearly to Huttlestone avenue they found Zeruiah Wood's house without 
inmates and burned that. The family had fled to the woods and when 
they returned they were homeless. On the Sconticut Neck road they 
burned the John West house, a picture of the chimney of which is given 
on another page. There' is no report of any depredations committed 
beyond this point. At a signal from the troops after they reached the 
head of the Neck the fleet came to the east side of Clark's Point and took 
on board the troops from the shore of the Daniel W. Deane farm. This 
ended twenty-four hours of 

''War's desolation" 

in the lives and homes of the inhabitants of this town. 

General Grey's order issued the day before he landed his forces 
contains this sentence: "The commanding officers are answerable that 
no houses or barns are set on fire by the soldiers, unless by orders from 
Major General Grey." Notwithstanding this, there were at least two 
houses with all their furnishings burned in New Bedford, a half dozen in 
Acushnet, and several in Fairhaven. For tliese cruel, infamous acts and 
the hardships that resulted therefrom to the households of these homes, 
General Grey nuist be held responsible. 

It is recorded that the general frequently showed no (juarter to 
American soldiers, and in many instances ordered them bayoneted in 
cold blood in an inhuman, unsoldierly, barbarous manner. On account 
of his common practice of ordering men under his command to take the 
flints out of their muskets when about to enter upon an engagement, that 
they might be confined to the use of the bayonet, he acquired the name of 
the "No flint general." He states in his reports of the casualties at the 
Battle of Acushnet Bridge that the British "rushed on them (th<^ 
Yankees) with their bayonets," thus executing his characteristic military 
movement when in action. There is abundant evidence besides the above 
facts to prove that General Grey was a heartless monster. 

General Grey made the following return of property destroyed : 
8 sail of vessels, from 200 to 300 tons, most of them prizes. 



74 

G aniiod vessels, carrying from 10 tn Ki j:uiis. 

A mmilx'i- (A sloops and schoonci-s of inferioi- size, aiiioiiiitijii4 
in Jill 1(1 7<». ix'sidcs wtialc boats and others; among the 
prizes were tliJ-ee tak<'n l»y ('(niiil D' Kstaign's fleet. 

•_Mi store honses at IJcdford; several at .MePherson's Wharf, 
("i-anes Mills and Fair Iljiveii. These were filled with very 
great (|nanlities of iMim. snuar. molasses, tea, eoffee, medi- 
cines, toltjicco. gnn powder, sail i-lotli. eoi'dage, etc. 
Twii large rope-walks. 

Captain (ioi'don. wIki was calle(l .iii cxccjlriit jndge of valnatimis, 
estimated the loss in the brief space of twcnty-Tonr Inmi's at ^4-'J2,(K)(). 

Those who had siistaiiifd losses in this atfaii* demanded compensa- 
tion therelnr. The subject was discussed I'lir five years when (iovei-noi- 
John Ilaneock |o be pi'epared to rormally pi'cseiit the claim to (Ireat 
Bi'ilain riMpiested e;ieh town which had met with sm-h btsses to forward to 
the secretary of state a concise statement of the damage snstained hy 
them. Ill response to this request the selectmen of Dartmouth consisting 
of Colonel Edward Pope of Acushnet section, Stephen Peekham and -Jahez 
Parkei-. sent the following brief staleiiienl of the (himage to the iidiatiit- 
ants of tinil tnwn : 

DartiiHMit li. •laniiai'X' 17. ITS:^. 
Sir: 

I >y |-e;| nisit inn Iroin his eXeelJeney. the Lliivel'nol-. we here ti'ans- 
niit a true account (so far as is come to our knowledge) of the 
property, real and pt'rsoiud. which was wantoni\ destroyed at 
Dartmouth on the liftli day of September, 1778, b\- the lii-itish troops 
under the command of (Jeneral Cray, excepting property belonging to 
the nublic ;iiid to |:ersons lion-residents in this town which was very 
considei'abie. We sii|)pose e(pial in value at the least to the jn-operty 
destroyed belonging to the iiduii)itants of this town. 
Real estate as valued the same year by the 

assessors in solid coin 11,1^41 Pounds 

Personal estate as given in by each imli- 

vidiial to the selectmen under oath 1)4,711) Pounds 



'J'otal 105.1)60 Pounds 

The enem_\ landed their troops, being about 400 in number, two 
miles to the s<»ut Invest (d' Pedfoi'd. (a settlement so-called in said 
Dartmouth I and marched to Bedford a litth' after the setting (d" the 
sun and set lire to all the stoi'cs and some of the best of the houses, 
and all the shippuiL; lying at the wharves, and at the same time boats 
came tr(Uii their ships and set tire to all the xcssels that la\' in the 
hai'bor at anchor, alter whicdi the\' iirocceded ii]) the west side (d' the 
rivci". burning some houses, barns, etc.. pillaging others of whatever 
was valuable, breaking windows, doors, etc.. till they had marcdied 
down the east side of the river making about twelve miles in the 
whole mai-ch. cfunmitting man>' cruelties on (hd'enseless jtersons both 
men and women, by stripping them of theii- wearing apparel, etc. 
Thev began their embarkation the next day about two or three 



75 

o'clock ill the ;i ricriiooii. ;iii(l i-ciiiiiiiicd in t lie juirhoi- iiiilil llic ('ijti'hth 
(l;iy ol' Scptciiiber followiiiL;. jiiid llicii sriiled to iMarthas Vineyard. 

ScviTJil pci'son.s who \vci"c <:i'ca1 suflTcrci's moved out of said 
town iiiiinctlialel\- after the destruction of their i)i'o|)ei't \- \vhi('h we 
have not been abh' to ascei-laiu. We are, Sir, youi- hund)h' servants, 

8TEPI1KX PECKIIAM, 
JAHEZ I'AIIKER, 
EDWARD 1»0PE, 

Selectmen of Dartmouth. 



To John Avery, Esq. 

Secretary of the Conniionwealth. 

The above statement that there were 400 Britisli troops in the raid 
is an error, doubtless made somewhere in i)i'int or writing. Colonel 
Edward Pope of this town, who was engaged in the aflt'air, wrote that 
there was between 4,000 and 5.000 of them. This appears reasonable in 
the light of General Grey's report that the Heet consisted of two frigates, 
one brig of war and thirty-six transports. There is more record evidence 
that 4,000 or more of the British force. 

On Sept. (), the last day of the raid. General Gre\' wrote a letter to 
General Clinton, dated on board his flagship, "the frigate Carysfoot off 
Bedford harbor," in which he says: "I am happy to be able to acquaint 
you that I have been so fortunate, in the fullest manner, to execute the 
service your Goodness entrusted me with at Bedford and Fairhaven. 
* * * We landed yesterday evening at six o'clock; the enemy had 
a very few liours notice of our approach ; the troops all reeml)arked this 
morning by twelve o'clock. * * * The only battery they had was on 
the Fair Haven side, an enclosed fort with twelve pieces of cannon, whicli 
was abandoned, and the cannon pro{)erly demolished by Ca})tain Scott, 
and the maga/iiu' blown up. * * * Not one house in Bedford and 
Faii'liaven, 1 think, was consumed that could be avoided, except those 
with stores." This last sentence looks very suspicious with the light 
of facts turned upon it. It will be observed that he niade an itemized 
report of the i)roperty destroyed, including "rum," but no allusion* was 
made to twenty or more dwellings burned, which it is not po.ssible he was 
unaware of. Furthermore, it seems reasonable that General'- Grey was 
willfully guilty of these infamous acts. 

In this letter General Grey refers to Cajitain Andre. This w^as the 
unfortunate ]\Iajor John Andre of Revolutionary war fame. lie was on 
the general's staff and lu) doubt in the grand march of the British through 
Acushnet. He was later on the staff of General Clinton, and subseiiuently 
made Adjutant General of the British Army. INIajor Andre was hanged 
for complicity in the treason of Benedict Arnold, at Tappan, N. Y., in 
1780, when only 29 years of age. 



76 

At niK- tiiiK' ill tlu' Civil war of 1861-65, oiu' silver dollar was worth 
tlirt'f papci- (Inllars. We th()ii<rht this a tremendous inHaticm of the 
ciii-nMicy and l)iisiness was ahii-iiiiiiiilx- unsettled. Hut in the iJcvolu- 
tioiiarx- war tlic iuHatiun was twenty times jrreater — one silver dolhii' was 
worth sixt\- i)a|)ei- dollai-s. When tinaneial affairs had readied tiiis point 
jiiid piililii- ei'edil Was eoiisiih'red aiisolutely ruined, a conveiilioii was held 
in Coneoi-d to aid in restoring- it and "to take in Consideration the Prices 
of .Merehandise and Country Produce." They "Affixed the Price" at 
which should be sold various articles, among which was Indian corn, $20 
per bushel ; white bran. $30 per bushel : West Indian Rum, $60 per gallon. 
"The Hon^'^'^ AValter Spooner Esq" of this town was one of the 185 
delegates and was made president of the important gathering. 

This fearful invasion caused sneh want and suffering that the town 
of Dartmoutli. a1 its annual iiieetiiiu in .March, 1780, appointed a eoni- 
iiiiltee ineludin<i -lireh Swift and Captain Thomas Crandon "to supply 
the soldiers' families during the ensuing \<'ar."" and aiipro|>riated a sum 
of money therefor. The Ceneral Court of the same year api)ropriated 
$6,000 for their relief. Anions the reeijiients of this aid were the 
llathawa\s. whose store on Fairhaveii road was burned, to recompense 
them ill a measure I'nr their loss. Aeiishiict was a Ioiil;- time in recovering 
fri)iii this treiiieiidoiis shock and loss of |>ro|ier1y. 

A careful estimate fixes the total iiiinilier of men furnished the army 
of the lve\-olut ioiiary War b\- Dart mouth to lie live hiindred, besides those 
ill the iiav.w 'I'he entire po[)iilat ion of the town at that date was 6.500, so 
that it is safe to conclude that om- of evei'y thirteen of the inhabitants, 
including women and children, wi-re in the service. 

REVOLUTIONARY Kort Pheiiix had just been completed when the 
WAR INCIDENTS Kevolutionary war liroke out. Tlu' following is 

an extract from a letter in i-egard to biiildiiiL: the 
fort: '"Ifoyal liathawax states thai Henjamin Dillingham was Captain 
and his father, Kh'a/er Hat liawa> . was Lieutenant of the compaiix' that 
built Fort Phenix. and his impressions \\-erc that it was Iicliuu previous to 
the b;ittle of Uiiiiker Hill. .Iiiiie 17. 1775. and that it was about two years in 
building." Ko\al llathawav of Acuslnu't also stated tliat there were 
eight companies of soldiers raised in the township of Dartmouth, and that 
his father succeeded Captain DilliiiLiham in c(mimaiid of one of them, and 
was stationed at the fort at one time. 

Captain Henjamin Dillingham's ctuiipaiiy consisted of men who lived 
in the \icinily of .\cushiu^t Village, and nnin.w if not all. of the following 
members were residents of this town : Elea/er Hathaway. .lames Spooner. 
Jonathan Cushman. Thomas Crandon. Kcuben Hathaway, David Hath- 
away. Daniel Heinu^tt. Elisha Parker, Jonathan Hathaway, Elnathan 
Jenney. David Pope. David Spooner, Lemuel Cushman. John Hathaway, 



77 

Jethro Tabcf, Silas Ilalliawa\- and -Jesse Keen. In tlie rostei- of tlic com- 
pany are also the names of .John Skiff and Klijah Macc()ml)er, wiiosi^ 
names arc iiicntioncd on another pa^e in connection with the war. This 
company was with the army in the vicini1\- of lioston as earl>- as March. 

1776. 

Stephen Hathaway 's honse is now standing on the oast side of Fair- 
haven road al)ont 300 feet south of the brook. .Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway 
w^ere of the Friends' Sooiety. Aiarnieil. especially for the safety of their 
children, they had secreted them in the woods at the eastward, and their 
table silver and other water i)roof articles they ha<l lowered into the 
well, Avhieh is there today. The advance of the army had donbtless 
received information that Friend Hathaway was well-to-do and made 
an immediate demand for money. Mr. Hathaway failed to respond 
and they commenced a search of the honse. A desk now in existence 
plainly indicates where they attempted to pry it open with a l)ayonet. 
The commanding ot!icer rode into the yard while the vandals were vigor- 
ously engaged in plundering and to him Mr. Hathaway complained. Tha 
officer assured him he did not propose to molest Quakers and called 
the soldiers out of the house. For this gracious act Mrs. Hathaway 
treated the officers to a hastily prepared lunch. When the unwelcome 
visitors had departed she was unable to find some of her valuables. 

Thomas Hathaway lived on what is now the Laura Keene place. Th(> 
house probably stood very near the site of the present house, as Captain 
Akin writes of a "long lane leading to the house." Trees standing there 
now indicate the location of the lane. This family also lowered their 
silverware into the well. Some of these articles are now in possession 
of Mrs. Captain James Allen and her daughter Louise Allen, now residing 
at Long Plain. 

Captain Thomas Crandon's house was situated just east of the village 
bridge on the south side of the street and as he was in the service his 
house was a shining mark foi- the enemy's torch. 

Among the men who were incarcerated in Dartmoor and other Eng 
lish prisons were Jacob Taber, and Elisha Tohey, of New Bedford ; Joseph 
Briggs of Fairhaven and Samuel Parker of Acushnet. Mr. Parker was one 
of the crew of a ship sent from Bedford Village to London l)y Daniel Rick- 
etson & Son in 1777. laden with a cargo of oil. From there on the passage 
to Bremen she put into ( Jreenock, Scotland, for repairs and while there was 
captured by the British. It is recorded that Edward Pope, later Judge 
Pope, of Acushnet, was a prisoner of war on Saturday night, but succeeded 
in making his escape before morning. Nathaniel Spooner of this town was 
captured on the privateer "Hope." He was exchanged in 1777. and 
later served in the army or navy. Caleh Spooner was a prisoner. 

Early in the war an interesting incident occurred in which an eminent 



78 

eiti/en of Aeushnet took a j)i'ominent part. Ueneral Washington's head- 
quarters were at Cambridge. It was leai-iicd lliat the British Admiral 
at Newport. K. I., was being made aware ot tbe secrets of American 
civil and iiiilitary affairs. How lliis itit'oriiial ii»ii was obtained was a 
ufcat mystery, l-'iiially a cypher lettei-. which nroved 1o be written by 
ail otlieer oil (leiieral Washington's staff, to the l^)i'itish Admiral at .New- 
port, fell into \VasliiiiL:-1on 's hands. No one was t'oiiiid who couhl (k'/ipiuT 
it till some one in the camp suggested there was a Chaplain with the 
troops at Dorchestei- who could read it. This Chaplain jiroved to be 
Kev. Sanniel West, J). I)., of Aeushnet Village, who was with the Dart- 
mouth volunteers. Chaplain AVest was summoned into the presence of (Jen- 
eral Washington, who decided after a bricd* interview, to allow the Doctor 
to endeavor to decipher the mysterious dociiiiieiit . which was a difficult 
task. A tent was prepared for him and a detail IVoiii his townsmen of 
Captain Thoiiias K<'mpton's company Avas assigned to guard dii1\' abour 
his (piarters. Chaplain West commenced his labors immediately after 
the sentries cried "lights out!'" and in the hush of the niiilit. with no 
soinid but the steps of the guard as they ])aced their beats and their as- 
surance to the camp thai " All is well !" he pluekil\- worked a1 his puz/linu' 
task of finding the key to the cypher of the susj)icious communieation. 
At daylight he requested the senti'y at his tent to call the "cor|)oral of the 
guard." by whom In^ sent a message to liead(piarters that he was pre- 
])are(l to i-ei)ort to the coinnianding officer his efforts, which pro\-ed th(» 
contents of the letter to be of ti'eacliei'ous inforiiiat ion. ('aptaiii Kemplon 
assured his son Thoiiias. and .Jireh Swift, who was in the war. di'clared 
to his son Jii'eh. -Jr.. ami both of these sons were known to fhe writer, 
that the abo\-e incident occurred as I'elated al)ove. The success 
of Doi'tor West i)laeed a feather in the eai)s of the Aeushnet 
boys and the hni-i-ahs that hlletl tin* aii- indicated their great 
(leliL^ht in the remarkable accomplishment cd' their popular ("haplain. It 
was subsecpu'uf l\' leai'ne(l that the writer of the cypher letter was Dr. 
Jienjamin CIiiii-(di of (leneral AV ashington "s staff, and a classmate at 
college of l)r. West.- Doctoi' Chni'ch was arrested, iiicarcei'af ed in the 
prison at ( 'a mbriduc and siibsiMpieiit ly was <_;i\'en a heariiiL;' before fhe 
(lenei'a! ('oiirt. While in |ii'ison he wrote a long letter of explanation 
and defence, a copy of which nni> be found in one of the volumes of tlu' 
Ma.ssachusetts llistoi-ical Collection. 

A REVOLUTIONARY One (d" fh<' interest inu- diaracfers of the Kevoln- 
WAR HERO tionai'y period was Deliverance lieiinett. lie 

said wi' was born at Loiil: Tlaiii. in this town. 
Nov. 11. 17.')(). lie I'elafes that at the aiic of nineteen he Joined the 
Ajiiericaii army for tlii-ec years. receivitiL: a lioiin1\ of three linndred 
doUai's. The company was ordered to march on the Sabbath from Klder 



79 

Lewis's meeting-house on the County rojul, where they assembk^d to 
hear "a farewell discourse from our j)arish minister, Rev., Mr., Lewis." 
The route from there was through the l^eckham road to Long Plain, 
Middleborough, Bridgewater to Boston, whei-c tliey joined the Continental 
forces. 

The regiment with which he whs coiniected was soon ordered to New 
York state, where he served contiiniously through the entire' war. He wa?* 
in the battles of White Plains in 1776; Saratoga in 1777; Stony Point 
in 1779; and Yorktown in 1781. He was at the surrender of General 
Burgoyne and General Cornwallis, and at New York when the British 
evacuated that port. His company remained in the vicinity of the Hudson 
river till peace was declared. Deliverance walked from there to Long 
Plain in January, 1783, after an absence of more than seven years with- 
out a furlough, was joyously received by his friends and townsmen, 
and was one of the greatest heroes of the war. 

Mr. Bennett was married Dec. 24, 1786, l\v Elder Daniel Hix, to Mercy 
Phillips of Freetown. 

Mr. Bennett became a sailor in the War of 1812; was captured and 
pressed into the British service. Here he was severely wounded by a 
splinter made by a cannon ball. This misfortune he used as a means of 
securing his parole. He applied copperas to the wound to keep it open 
till it was pronounced incurable and he was released. The wound never 
healed and he died from the effects of it in the autumn of 1836, aged 
eighty-six years. He was allowed a pension on account of the wound. 
Mr. Bennett was well informed and had a good memory. He was an 
interesting man to converse with till the close of his life. It is said he 
made a very venerable and attractive appearance as he rode in the 
Fourth of July procession at New Bedford the year previous to his decease. 
His fine and dignified form, clad in a striking suit of old fashioned style, 
consisting of a blue coat and a bright colored waistcoat, both with rows 
of showy brass buttons, and knee trousers, was a feature of the day. 
This is no historical fiction — the name Deliverance Bennett is on the roll 
of Revolutionary soldiers from Dartmouth, in the State house at Boston, 
and the aliove statement wms as he made it to a j)erson;d friend of the 
writer. 

SAMUEL JOY'S OVEN The writer has found in various records a place 

or ol)ject designated "Samuel Joy's Oven," 
and has frequently Ixmmi asked for an explanation of what it i-eferred to. 
No records or ])ers()n or writings have come to hand in response to my 
inquiries in ovu" local papers for such information. In the layout of the 
present ]\Till rond from Ball's corner southerly to Swift's corner — near 
the village l)ridge, the course is thence westerly "along the back side of 
Samuel Joy's Oven" to Lunds corner. This was Jan. 3-6, 1719. 



80 

It jippcJii's tli;it ;ill the tfjid mi ihc soiilli side ol' llic hillci' section 
oi' tliis i-();i(l. rxlciidiiii;' I'l'oiii llic civci- In the ('oiiiity i-(i;i(l. was set otl' to 
"Saniiicl .Joy. hlaeksniith," in 1711. He hiiilt a house in the northeast 
corner ol' the three aere tract where the present Ilumplii-ex Hathaway 
(Alice Roosevelt) dwelliiiL;' now stands, and a hlaeksniith sho]) to the west- 
ward of it. llei'e lie (htuhtless resided till he conveyed the propei'ty to 
Xatlianiel lliackwell in 1722. Unt the oven I Dictionaries, cyclopedias 
and othei- hooks have heen searched in vain i'oi- the significance of the term 
as aii])lied to this case. 1\1\- impression is. however, that liis dwelling, 
and others in the neighborhood, may have not liad that almost indis- 
pensable adjunct in those days of no stoves, a bake oven. Sanniel Joy 
was a town oflicial. a bright, thrifty business man. and perhaps concluded 
he couhl supply a liousehold necessit\- for (iood-wife Joy. and tui'u an 
honc^st i)enny by baking for neighbors situated like himself. b\- building 
an oven in a small structure apart from the house in which the family 
lived. Here his family could do the baking for themselves, and at a 
small cost for neighbors who had no facilities foi- such needful work. This 
novel, ingenious thought woi'ked out to a conclusion resulted in ''Samuel 
Joy's Oven." Whate\-er the o])ject was it faced the south, as most build- 
ings at that pei'iod did, regardless of their loi-alion or the liiLihway. as the 
la\dn1 was "'aloiii.; the back- side" of it. 




I'liotii. Iiy FiimI W. I'liliiu'i', New lU-clfonl. 

THOMAS WOOD HOUSE, 
Built .iboiit 1675. 



SMALL POX SCOURGE Small juix commenced in 17SS. when it was 

a dreadeil and almost fatal disease, a long 
continued attack in this comnnuiity. A pest iiouse was erected by the 
town. The (pH'stion whether to A'econnnend the practice of vaccination 



81 



M'as (lecidcd in town iiicetiny' in the nt'i;;itivo at this time. The fatality 
and increase of the disease was so alarming that a town meeting was 
called for Jan. 31, 1792, to take into consideration the reqnest for 
"establishing a hospital for inocnlation of the small pox * * * and to 
prevent its spreading." It was voted to provide four hospitals in 
different parts of the town. Alden Spooner and Eleazer Hathawa}^ were 
on the co2nmittee of nine persons to carry out the order of the meeting. 
It appears that al)ont one in seventy of the entire population died. The 
ravages of the disease, which was so frightful and dreaded in those days, 
did not end till eight years after its commencement. Among those who 
died of this pest in Acushnet between September, 1792, and Jan. 1, 1793, 
were Phebe Jenne and son Silas, Desire Taber and child, Phebe Kempton, 
Lemuel Hathaway, Antipas Tal)er, and each of the following persons 
lost a child : Jonathan Jenne, Asa Sherman, Humphrey Hathaway and 
Colonel Edward Pope. Inscriptions on the head stones in the Precinct 
cemetery at Parting Ways show a large number of deaths during the 
above prolonged period of pestilential visitation. 





ir" 


\m^ 




ism^ 


V' ^'tT" ' . »• ^'. ^^^^S*^^ 


m^^ Sfffftmfm'i ^^BB^^^>^^^^^Ky%^^ ' -9) 


^F'. '^''•^^IMb^bk^ ' ''.^^^Lj^Hi^MJ^^lMfi^ 


PS^* 




III, .1.— 1„| - ■ '*^: 


1 w% nn 


fl[ 







I'lintii. Ijy Fred W. PaliricT, New Bedford. 

JABEZ TABER TAVERN, 
Built before 1715. 



STAGE TRAVEL It was more than one liundred and twenty-five years 

after the original settlers established themselves here 
before there were public conveyances in any direction. All the travel 
the first years of the settlement was by horseback and the provisions con- 
sumed in the homes, which were not produced here from the soil, were 
hauled from Boston by horses and oxen, largely by the latter. A 
descendant of Captain ]\lasou Taber, Avho had a grocery store at the 



82 

"Mason Taber tavern," says much of tlic goods for the business there were 
brought from Boston by teams. 

The first public conveyance out of New Bedford the writer has learned 
of was a stage route owned and managed by Samuel Sprague. who lived 
on Long Plain road. It was established in 1793, and another the same 
year by Andrew Kershew. One of these routes was through Acushnet. 
IMiddleboro. Bridgewater to Boston. Tiu' otlun* w;is over the Post road in 
this 1n\\ii 1(» Rochester by Perry liill i-oad. Iliciice throiii^li Wai-cluiin. and 
Sandwich to Barnstal)le. Al)rahain Kussell of New Bedford opciied a 
stage route about the same date through Aciishiict and Taunlon to Boston. 
Here is a copy of Mr. Russell's advertisement in the New Bedford ]\Iedley 
of lliiy 10, 1797 : 

New Bedford And Boston Mail Stage. 

Will run from New Bedford to ]-5oston thro' Taunton, the ensuing 
summer, three times a week, on the following days, viz. : Leave Bed- 
lord on the Second. Foui'th and Sixth da\s of each week at 4 o'clock 
A. M. and arrive at iioston on the evening of the same day. R(^tni-n- 
ing, leave Boston at 4 o'clock A. "SI. on the Third, Fifth ami Seventh 
days of each week, and arrive at Bedford on the evenini:- of these days. 
To connnence running thus the next week. 

The fare of each passage will ])e as follows: From New Bedford 
to Boston, three dollars and fifty cents; From Taunton to Boston, two 
dolhn-s and fifty cents; And for an\' distance sliort of tlu' above 
|)hiees. six cents j)er mile. — One hundred pouiuls wt. of baggage eipial 
to a passenger. Alu-ahaiii Russell. 

New Bedford, 4 mo. 27. 1797. 

Passengers were obliged to renuun at Taunton over night. Upon the 
establishment of a post office in New Bedford in 1794. the mail was carried 
by this stage. This gave the name of Post road to the thoroughfares 
over which they were conveyed. 

As the roads over which these stages were to ^o liad heen used only by 
horseback travelers and snudl teams, it was necessary to make way for the 
coaches by cutting off the branches of trees that overhung the road. It is 
said that Hannah, daughter of Doctor West, w lin lixcd on the east side of 
the Post road a little beyond Parting \Va\ s. seeing men lo])i)ing otf thu 
branches of some fine trees in front ol' the dwellinL;'. earnestly reuion- 
strated at what ai)peai';'d to her an outrageous ai-t. and was not reconciled 
to it till assured it was to admit of the passiuL:' of a stage coach to Poston 
for public service. There was great rejoiciuL;- in .Vcushiu't over the 
opening of these mail and travelini^- facilities. 

One who may have been sitting on the stoo]i <d' the old Pope TaveiMi 
just east of the Itridge in the village, some day when the Boston coach 
made its trip, might have hearil the stage hoi-n and the crack of the 
driver's whip as the coach turned eastward at Lunds conu-r; the rumble 
of wheels and the clatter of feet of fresh horses as they ap]»i'oach at John 
CJilj)in speed. The di-ivci' pulls up in IVont of the inn. which is the first 



83 

stopping place on the sixty-mile drive. The i)assengers climb into the 
vehicle, tlie old fashioned band boxes, carpet bags and hair trunks are 
I)ut on board, and the coach is off. The next stopping place is the 
Jabez Tal)er tavern, two miles beyond, thence to the Vincent or Mason 
Taber tavern, a mile farther on at the head of Perry Hill road. From 
here the route was onward to Taunton or ]\liddle])()ro l)etween the charm- 
ing lakes of the latter town. 

This tedious mode of public conveyance was the only one out of 
New Bedford overland to Boston till the opening of the New Bedford and 
Taunton railroad on the first day of July, 1840. This event was hailed 
with great delight by every one except the owners of stage coaches and 
proprietors of inns along the stage lines. These men who had reaped a 
harvest in conveying the public and entertaining man and beast, found 
their occupation without patronage and went out of business. Nothing 
remains of these enterprises except the old wayside inns, which have 
since been private residences. 



HUMAN SLAVERY Very early in the history of Old Dartmouth some 
IN ACUSHNET of its inhabitants indulged in the pernicious prac- 

tice of holding Africans in bondage. They were 
bought and sold, a place was set apart in the meeting house for them to 
sit, and in the graveyard for them to lie. 

John Chaffee, who lived on Mill road, a deacon of the Precinct church, 
and later an official of the Methodist church in the village, owned part of 
a Negro man named Venture. 

Benjamin Pierce, who lived at Long Plain, near the Friends' Meet- 
ing House, and died in 1756, in his will bequeathed to his wife, Sarah, his 
Negro girl Phyllis. 

Elnathan Pope, who was son of Capt. Seth Pope, received from his 
father the farm at Perry Hill, died in 1747, leaving a Negro man worth 
100£ and a man worth 70£. 

Robert Bennett, who lived in the Sands Wing house, now owned by 
John S. Perry, died 1746 and left a Negro woman to his son Robert. 

Captain William Taber, who lived on the Post road, two miles above 
the Head-of-theRiver, advertised in The New Bedford Medley of May 15, 
1797, for his Negro, who had run away. He ran away again in 1807. 
According to the record over 10,000 native Africans were brought into 
the ])ort of Charleston this year, 1807. 

Strange as it may seem, some members of the Friends' society engaged 
in the traffic, and did not readily yield to the entreaty of some of their 
brethren to abandon the practice. Others of that body publicly opposed 
the system, believing it to be morally wrong, and persistently urged action 
against it by the meeting. This they succeeded in, as indicated by the 



84 

following minute entered upon the records of a Dartinoiit]! Quarterly 
meeting in ITTi. 

"The matter relating to the purchasing of Slaves being agitated 
in the Met^iiig it is foiicluded by y*' most of y*' Meeting tliat it would 
be most agreable to our Holy profession to forbear for time to cohil', 
to be in any way Concerned in purchasing Slaves." 

These courageous, CJod-fearing men and woiiieii possessed the spirit 
of the poet Cowper when he made this declaration : 

"I would not have a slave to till my groinids. 
To carry me, to fan me while 1 sleep. 
And tremble when I wake, for all the we;iltli 
Tliat sinews bought and sold have ever earned. 
1 bad much rather be myself a slave 
And wear the bonds, than fasten tln'ni on him." 

This noble action had a salutary effect on Friends generally, and 
through the firm stand which they took against the system a strong anti- 
slavery feeling soon prevailed throughout the comnuinity. This Christian 
organization generally, never faltered in the woik till Abraham Lincoln 
issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The incidtnt marked the begin- 
ning of an iiici-easing Abolition sentiment here, whidi caused New Bed- 
ford to sul)S('(|U('ntly become renowned as a noMc ch.impioii of the anti- 
slavery cause. 

The overthi'ow of tlie iniquitous system began at once, and as slave 
holders followed an ciilightenetl coMscierKM' they cither ])(M"mitted their 
slaves to pui'chasc their freedom, or voluntarily pi-csenteil tluMii with 
manumission papers. But the practice ditl not cease till a century after the 
above declaration of rights by the Friends. 

Here follows a copy of an interesting bill of sale of a slave from his 
owners to himself in 1770 : 

Whereas Elnathan Sam.son of Dartmouth in the county of 
Bristol & Province of the Massachusetts l^ay in New Kn gland 
Blacksmith did on the P^ighth Day of November'. .\ 1) 17(ii» at Pul)lic 
Auction j)urchase buy and become ])Oss(>ssoi" of a Xegi-o Man Slave 
Named X'enter aged about Forty Six years as May appear by a \V\\\ 
of Sale of Said Negro given to the Said Mlnathan Samson by .li>h 
Williams a Deputy Sheriff in Said County of Bristol who was then 
Taken cV: Sold b_\- \'irtur of a Wi-it of FiNccution whei'e-in one Daniel 
Kiissel was Ci'editor and one .|ei"emiah Child Debtor as the ju-oper 
Estate of the said .Jeremiah ('hild before the Said Sale And the Said 
Klnathan Samson Did aftei'wai'ds reeoiivey one half of Said Negro 
to .lohn Chatfee of Said Dartmouth Spci'maciti Manufactory. 

These ai"e Thci'cfoi'c to certifx' Whom so ever it May Concei'U 
that We the Said Mlnatlian Samson ».^: John ( 'hatfee foi' and in Con- 
sideration of the sum of twenty (uie Poinuls six shillings t^ four pence 
Lawful money of sd Province to us in haiul i)aid by the Said Negro 
Man \'enture the i-eceipt whereof we herei)y acknowledge him 
aciMiitted ^: renounced all KiLiht Title or In1ci-est whatever in and to 



85 

said Negro & Do hereby set him at full Liberty to act liis own Will, 
from the day of the Date hereof forever. 

In Witness wliereof we have lierennto set onr hands and seals 
this Ninth Day of July in the Tenth of his Magesty's Reign Anno 

Domini ^'^'^^ 

Signed & Sealed in the presence of 

Kdward Vope p:inathan Samson 

Elisha Tobey J'jhn Chaffee 

Illustrative of two statements made above, one who saw it relates 
to me that there was a "slave pen" in one end of the gallery of the 
meeting house at Parting Ways, reserved for these people. In Lakeville, 
I^Iass.. a few miles from this town, is an open lot surrounded by a growth 
of trees and shrubs and reached by a woods road. It is situated a few 
rods north of the highway leading from the County road eastward over 
Mullein hill, now known as Highland road. 

In one corner of this plat are the graves of a family. Nearly seventy- 
five feet distant from these and in the centre of the lot is a grey colored 
stone— one only— about eighteen inches square. This was evidently 
erected to the memory of an esteemed slave of the family. On the stone 
is chiselled the following inscription : 

Memory [ 

Ammon a negro [ 

Man belong to[ 

Capt. William Canedy] 

he Died March y®] 

30th 1778 in y^ 29th [ 

Year of his age 

INDIAN RELICS AND Numerous places have been discovered in this 
GRAVE YARDS town which were the locations of wigwams, and 

the burial places of Indians. Perhaps the find 
of relics in Fairhaven a little south of our town will show what may exist 
in many places in this town. In excavating near the site of Cooke's 
garrison house, HowUud road, on the John M. Howland place in Fair- 
haven many relics of Indians were exhumed. About five hundred feet 
southwest of Cooke's garrison house was once an Indian settlement and 
burying ground, the latter a mound several feet high, long ago removed, 
as its material was valuable for building purposes. IVIany years ago a 
large number of skeletons were unearthed. Among them one was found 
in a sitting posture with elbows on the knees, wampum wound about the 
wrists and a brass kettle over the head. Large deposits of oyster, clam 
and quahog shells were found in and about the hill. They found many 
articles in a cellar. In one corner was a bed of wood ashes in the midst 
of which were charred embers, and underneath it all were two large 
hearthstones worn smooth on the upper surface. They found three 



86 

pewter spoons with iron handles, a quantity of arrowheads, flint stones 
from which evi(hMitl\- arrowheads had heen chipped, several stone toma- 
hawks, a cylin(h'i- block of stone ten inches lon^: used probably as a pestle 
for crnshinu' corn, a small deer horn, a boar tusk, tishhook, stone chisel, 
and what is perhaps the most curious of all. an iron key ei«i:ht inches 
Ioiil:. I'ude in construction and corroded with rust. Some one suirjtrests 
it may have been the \-ei'y one thai locked the uari'lsoti house. I'l'obably 
it was. .Many of these ai'ticles used by the Indians have been found on 
the ('obiiiel Hobinson farm at Lon<:' IMain. the Kodolphus Swift place at 
Acushnet villajic and in many spots along the river shore and in the woods 
of the interior. 

Indian graves are indieated l)\- field stones on the surface or the 
articles buried with them which have been turned up by the plow of the 
white man. such as arrow heads, hatchets, chisels, wedges and gouges of 
stone, tol)acco pipes, and in some instances skulls with teeth and hair 
attached. One instance is recorded where a skeleton was found with, 
the nose of a bottle resting upon the mouth of the skull. This bottle 
probably contained "fire water" when placed there, a commodity which 
proved as great a eui-se to tluMu as it has to many of the Anglo-Saxons who 
succeeded them in the habitation of this country. 

STOCKS AND Dartmouth peo|)l(' cai-ly pi'o\ided foi- punishing 

WHIPPING POSTS offenders against civil laws by the methods usually 

employed at the tinu\ stocks ami whipping posts. 
John Russell, Sr., built a ])air of stocks for the town in 168(5. At the 
towTi uuH'ting of duly L'f). 1701). "Ilcnry Ilowlaiul was agread with to make 
a pare of Stocks and a Whipping Post." My impression is that the 
stocks built by .Mr. Russell stood in the neighborhood (d' A|)poiu'gansett 
village, whej-e he lived. This was a long distance to carfy otfeiidei's for 
castiu'ation fi'om the northeast corner of this town, twelve miles oi- nu)re, 
and those .M i-. Ilowland consti'ucted were the ones that stood on the wesr 
bank of the .\cushnet rivei' a few feet south of the bridge in .\cushnet 
village, directly to the c;ist of and across the cart ])atli fi'om Humphrey 
llathaway's dwelling house. They wei'e in commission many yeai's. The 
intelligent ant ii|uai"ian. (leoi-gc 11. Tabcf of FairhaNcn. i-elated to the 
writer that his mother witnessed the last whipping adnnnistered at this 
place. This was about ITD!). She was then attemling tlu' s(du>ol located 
at the southeast coi'iief of the Pai'tiiiL;- Ways. This evi'Ul she said dcew a 
lai'ge crowd of |)e(ip|t' and its im|t<u'tance was signalized by the tdtising 
of the schools, so that the scholars might be present at this final act in 
the history of this method of ]uudshment. When the ci-owd of bystand- 
ers had codected about the whip[)ing post, they wei'e entertained by a 
lashing vigoi-ously administered to John Black for stealing from his 
neighbor. 



87 

SHIPBUILDING AT In the env\y liislory of Old Dartmouth, Acush- 

ACUSHNET VILLAGE net vilhigc was the chief maritime port on the 

river. This was the centre of the northeast 
section of the original purchase. Dry goods, groceries and all the necessi- 
ties of life not raised here had to be hauled overland from Boston or 
shipped by water to this point. The first vessels constructed anywhere 
on the Acushnet river — before Belleville, before Bedford — were built 
here. 

The first shi])yard on the river was located on the west side of the 
stream where it widens, about 500 feet south of the village bridge. The 
river was so narrow, even at this point, that great care had to be taken 
in launching vessels or they would run into the muddy bank on the 
opposite side, as they sometimes did, and were hauled out with consider- 
able difficulty. 

This was known at one period of its history as "Stetson's ship yard," 
from the proprietor, Charles Stetson, who lived in a house next north 
of it, now owned and occupied by Sarah, widow of George M. Nichols. 
In the early days of this enterprise only small crafts were constructed, 
such as were used iu deep water fishing, and coasters. The building 
facilities were increased in the latter part of the eighteenth century and 
larger vessels were built, chiefly for the whaling industry. The first of 
this class launched from the yard, it is said, was the Hunter for Seth 
Russell & Sons at Bedford. This yard was abandoned and the ship 
Swift was built later at the foot of Howard street, a half mile south of the 
bridge. The Swift was named for Jireh Swift, 4th, who with his brother- 
in-law, Humphrey Hathaway, owned her. It is related that on the 10th 
of November, 1805, one hundred years ago, the ship Swift lay at the wharf 
with flags flying; on this same day Jireh Swift and Elizabeth Hathaway 
were married. For more than fifty years the ship Swift sailed the seas 
until her close came in the Pacific. Mr. Humphrey Swift owns an oil 
l)ainting by Bradford of the good ship and her cabin water pitcher with 
her picture painted thereon. The brig Sun was also built here for Isaac 
Vincent of Acushnet. 

Shipbuilding was transferred from here to Belleville, which became 
a busy place. Tradition says the brig Hope was built here. She was 
employed in the foreign merchant service, making a voyage under com- 
mand of Captain John Hawes from Philadelphia to Ireland in 1795 and 
from Liverpool to Alexandria in 1797. Captain Doty was in command of 
her in 1800. A ship Hope was a privateer in the Revolutionary war. 
Captain William Gordon was agent for the Thesis, wdiich hailed from 
Belleville in 1808. From this it appears that the business at Belleville 
was restored after the British destroyed it in 1778. Here at Belleville 
were storehouses and a cooper's shop, together with other buildings 
used in carrying on the ship building, whaling and freighting business. 



88 

These were all consumed by the British in their eventful march. This was 
a great blow to the business and j)rosi)ects of the place. liefore the 
destruction of the place llic people were so sanguine of its successful 
future that Captain William (lordon of Aciishiu't was employed to lay 
out a villaye there. The name of Glasgow was seriously cnnsidcnMl for 
the name in honor of .Ios('|)h .McPhersoii. a Scotch i-esidcnt : hut it was 
decided to call it Belleville, and that has been the name 1)\- which thj 
locality has been known ('\(M' since. The tii-st vessel constructed at 
Betlford \illage was tlu' Dartmoutli, in 111'4. built iie.ii- the location of 
present llaz/.ard's wharf. In "1784 a vessel was huilt at A|)i)onegan- 
sett, " j)robal)ly at what is now Padanaram, which was later a whaling 
port of considerable importance. 

THE WAR OF 1812 Acushnet was directly interested in and affected 

by the war with England in 1(S12. ^lany of the 
inhabitants of this town were engaged as agents, masters or seamen in the 
merchant marine and whale tishery at New Bedford, or in the many 
emploj'ments connected with tliese enterprises. This bi-ou^ht them in 
close touch with the unfortunate atfair. It forced many of them into 
idleness and many of the families into almost suffering for the necessities 
of life. The pi'oclamat ion issued hy oni" national government in 1807 
})lacing an embargo on sliip|»iii<; at all American ])oi'ts. thus forbidding 
exports from this country, aiul the [liracy of England on our shipping, 
seriously affected the maritime interests of the Acushnet river. At this 
date sixty vessels were registered at the custom house helonginu' to the 
port of New Bedford. War was declared .June 18, 1812. Regarding the 
effect of this, the Xew Bedford Mei-cury editoriallx said: 

"Never have Ave seen dismay so giMierally and t'orcihiy depicted 
on the features of oui- fellow townsmen as at this poiiendinu' moment. 
The hand of enter-prise is withered; the heart sickened; the hard 
earned treasures of industry dissolved, and the business of life seems 
to ])ause in awful suspense."" 

The work of prepai'ing for tlu' defence of the town began at once. 
Capt. William Gordon of Acushnet. of Revolutionai-y War fame, super- 
intended the construction of a iinid fort on Love rock, just east of Fort 
Phenix. and a similai' defence at Smoking- roidvs neai' the location of the 
present Potomsk-a cotton mills at New Uedford. The troops stationetl 
about the harboi' were coiiniianded hy Lieutenant Colonel Leiijamin 
Lincoln with .Indue Kdward l*o|)e. a native of this town, as Major. The 
Uritish navy with the motto. "We are mistress of the seas," was con- 
stantly on the watch for American men-(d'-wai'. and pirates s;nling under 
the iluix of that luition were ])reying upon our connnerce. 

HeuKMnheriuLi the fateful surprise gi\-en us by the Hi'itisli in the 
Revolutionary War, our people were determined New Bedford should not 



89 

have a similar experience at this time. To [)revent tliis the coast was 
carefully and constantly I'uarded with an ample force. Two companies 
were furnished for this purpose from the east side of the river; the 
"Fairhaven company" and the "Head-of-the-River company." The 
former was commanded by William Nye. The other officers were Ensign 
Phineas White; fife, Sihis Stetson; drunnner, Charles Keen; sergeant, 
Joseph Keen; corporals, Ebenezer Keen, Jonathan Spooner, Michael Ben- 
nett, Joshua Morse, Lemuel Dillingham and Samuel Jenne ; privates. 
Pardon Taber, Thomas Spooner, Jemus Taber, Seth Samson, Alfred 
Vincent, Isaac Cushman, Marlboro Bradford, Micah Hathaway, Isaac 
Vincent and William Ashley, most or all of whom were from Acushnet. 

"The Head-of-the-River company," so called, had headquarters at 
Clarks Cove and did duty around the shore of Clarks Point up to the 
nuid fortification on the river side of the point. . Here is a full roster of 
the company: Captain, Reuben Swift; lieutenant, Job Millard; ensign, 
Seth Bumjuis; sergeants, ^ Allen Bourne, Allen Chase, Thomas Collins, 
Thomas Hathaway, Zenas Cowen, James Ripner, Nathaniel Spooner and 
William Smith ; musicians, Joseph Purrington and Noah Waste; drummer, 
Thos. B. Smith. 

Privates — Allen Gardner, Allen John, AndrcM^s .Jolin, Burden Holder, 
iiurden -James, Burt Simeon. Hurt Sylvester, Case Isaac Jr., Chase Israel, 
(Jhase Joseph, Cowen William, Crapo Al)iel, Crapo Asa, Cummings John, 
Davis James Jr., Uemmings Geurclon, Douglass George, Eddy .lolui, 
Edminster John, Freeman John, Gilford Alden, Gifford Jonathan, (Jitford 
Paul, Greene William K., Hammond Samuel, Hathaway Benjamin S., 
Hathaway William, Higgins Jonathan, Hoard Elias, Ilowland Timothy, 
Hunter John, Jackson Edmund, Jenne Joseph II., Jones Abiel Jr., Mosher 
Gideon, Mosher Holder, Mosher Richard, Myrick John, Omans James, 
Ormsby Lemuel B., Parker Elijah, Pettis Charles, Sherman Stephen, Sher- 
man Uriah, Snell Abel, Snell Leonard, Spooner Joshua, Spooner ]\Iicah, 
Strange Lot, Taber Peter, Thomas Arnold, Tobey Samuel Jr., Tobey 
William, Tri[)p Ebenezer, Phillips Ira, Pierce Russell, Pool Abiather. 
Pool Major, Pope Cornelius, Reed Alden, Reed Lemuel P., Reed Samuel 
Jr., Reynolds Abraham, Reynolds Benjamin, Reynolds Noah, Reynolds 
Philip, Reynolds William Jr.. Russell Humphrey, Ryder Henry, Samson 
Stephen .Tripp Rufus, Upham James, Walcott Oliver, Washburn Stillman, 
AVeaden David, Weston Enoch. Whalen Daniel Jr., Whalen Jonathan, 
Wheeler Calvin, White Job, Williams John, Wing Stephen 2d, Wing 
Stephen, Winslow Joshua, Winslow Richard. Woddell Nathaniel. Wood 
James. 

The end of the terril)le war came with the signing of the treaty of 
peace at Ghent on Christmas eve, 1814. Our country had suffered a loss 
of 30,000 lives and $100,000,000 in the two and a half years of war, and 
gained absolutely nothing. The news was received with tremendous 



90 

enthusiHsni. The sailors and i^llicrs of Aeushnot who were in various 
wa\s conncclcd with the shipping Imsiiii'ss of New Bedford when they 
heard the joyful news: "Peace is deelared I The embargo is otf!" for 
whicli the\- had waited impatiently so many. nian\- months, rushed to the 
shipping- offices, the wharves, shipyards. cooptTs' shops, sail and riy-ying 
h»fts ready tor dulx' and eayer to resume their occupations. Soon the 
vessels thai had lain lon.u nnoccupifd at their piers Avere in commission. 
TIh' white winded mereliant iiicii and <iTeasy whalei-s were busy in trans- 
jxii-tin^' the pi'oducts of the eounti'v and hunting the monsters of the 
deep with happy crews. 

(,'aptain Keid)en Swift was a resident of Aeushnet. A sketch of liis 
life is given on anothei- page. Ilis son. Captain Rodol|)hns X. Swift, 
i-elated to the writer this incident whi(di occurred in the company's camp 
at the ("ove. A friend of Captain Reuben, who was a sergeant in a 
company stationed nearb\ . desii-ed to make a visit to Captain Swift. On 
his way to the camp a farmer, who knew Caj)tain Swift, sent to the latter 
a shee|) for the company mess. The sergeant shouldered the muttou 
and chet'i-lull\ |)roceeded on his way. It was dark when he reached the 
guai-d line of the company and a vigilant sentry brought his musket to 
a charge with a "Who goes there?" The corjioral-of-the-giuird Avas 
summoned. The sergeant was declared a pi'isoiu'r aiul was t riumpliaiitly 
mai'ched into the presence of Captain Swift as a sheep stealer. The 
captain soon discharLicd the |)i'is()ner. He and the company huucly 
en.)oye(l the amusing incident and the |)fdatal)le feast that the cook 
prepared for them. The faithful sentinel who arrested tlie fdleged sheep 
stealer received an abundance of mingled compliments for fidelity to his 
soldierly duty, and iiniocent jokes on the facts in the case. 

SEPTEMBER GALE .\cushnet suffered somewhat from the memorable 

Se|)1eml)ei' ^ale. so t-alh'd. as it t)ccurred on 
Septemliei-. Saturday the -iWl. 1815. The New Bedford ^Mercury stated 
that the tide in the river rose ten feet above connuon high water mark and 
fiiui- feel higher than ever known before. "The gale came early in the 
moi'uing and lasted till near noon. It was awful beyond description. 
Sevei'al li\es were lost and the bi'idges at Faii'haven and Aeushnet village 
were cari-ied away." The .Mercury variously refers to it as a "hurri- 
cane," "a ti-emeiidous apple-shaker" and a "fearful tempest." The 
tide backed up into the .\cusluu't saw mill pond and the Avater Avent 
near to Luiuls corner. \'essels at Belleville Avharf Avere Hoated onto the 
ui)lan(l. One who was liviim' at tln^ time of the gale says the salt spray 
Avas thick at Long Plain, and residents of Middleboro. a distance of 20 
miles from .\ew Bedford, felt the salt mist there. There Avas a Rope Walk 
on CroAV Island and that Avas demolished. A building standing on a 
wharf in Fairhaven containing the records of the town up to that date. 



91 

was carried iiit(» the v'ww and tlie I'ccords were destroyed. The dcslfue- 
tion and damage of property was great. So great that Fairliaven. 
including' Acushnet, voted at a town meeting of iNIay 11, 1816, "to choose 
a committee to concnr with tlie town of New Bedford in petitioning the 
legishiture of tlie Connnonwealth for an allowance in taxes in consequence 
of damages sustained in the gale and tide of Sept. last past." No record 
of granting the relief asked for is found. This disastrous event followed 
so closely ui)on the heavy losses incurred 1)\' the War of 1812 that our 
town found itself under a heavy financial burden in eonsecpience of the 
great danuige to nidiarvested farm ('ro]is and l)nil(lings. 

SPOTTED FEVER This town was visited in 1815-16 by an epidemic 
EPIDEMIC of a disease which caused a great amount of sus- 

pense and suffering. It originated in Fairhaven 
and gradually moved northerly over the towns of Acushnet and Rochester. 
The victim was attacked with a fever, the skin of the patient became 
spotted, the suffering and fever increased till the person died. It was 
known as "the spotted fever epidemic." 

In the ^lassachusetts Historical Collection is the following item 
regarding this plague: "A mortal fever appeared in Fairhaven in Sep- 
tember, 1815, and spread northerly to Rochester. Between that date and 
the following May, when the contagion ceased, 200 persons died as n, 
result of it." The same publication in another place states that "from 
Nov. 1, 1815, to Jiuie 1, 1816, seven months, sixty-three persons died in 
Rochester, chiefly adults, being a 49th part of its population. 
The epidemic followed the course of the river, tracing up the Acush- 
net and Mattapoisett rivers to the great pond in Freetown, and not ex- 
tending but a little beyond the meeting house at North Rochester. Six 
I)ersons by the name of Ashley died in one house. Among those who died 
in Rochester were seven men and their wives : Colonel Charles Sturtevant, 
Jonathan Church, Joshua Sherman, Isaiah Standish. Colonel Noah Dexter, 
Nicholas Crapo. The nature of the malady was wdioUy unknown to the 
physicians hereabouts, who had never read or heard of its like. They 
were wholly unable to stay its progress." 

When the inhabitants became aware of the inability of the doctors 
to cope with it, they called a specialist from Boston who, it appears, was 
successful in his eft'orts to stay its progress. So delighted were the people 
with his skill antl success that a public meeting of the selectmen and 
other citizens of Rochester was called on the 20tli of ^lay, 1816, to 
show their appreciation of his work, and then, says the New Bedford 
Mercury of a few days later, a testimonial was adopted to "Doctor James 
Mann of Boston for his successful medical efforts to check the progress 
of that malignant, epidemic disorder and mortal distemper." 

Among the numerous persons of Acushnet who died of this then 



92 

mysterious disease were the venerable and honored Captain Obed Nye, 
and his wife, Freelove, who resided on the east side of Fairhaven road. 
Freelove died on the 6th and Obed on the 10th of November, 1815. 

It is stated that the mortality was as great in Acushuet as Rochester, 
but no list of the names of those who died of the disease here has been 
found. 

OFFSPRINGS OF The original town of Dartmouth incorporated in 
OLD DARTMOUTH 1664 included a tract about fifteen miles square 

divided into four sections by the Acushnet. 
Paskamansett and Acoaxet rivers, which traversed its entire length. 
This made long distances for many of the inhabitants to attend the town 
meetings, and also made it inconvenient and difficult to administer the 
civil government in remote sections of the township, as these streams were 
then unbridged for many miles from the south end of the town. The 
question of dividing the town was agitated and vigorously discussed in 
town meetings for years before the act was accomplished in 1787. The 
subjoined petition to the General Court, the original of which is in the 
office of the Secretary of State at Boston, for the division of the town, 
explains in a quaint manner the reasons for its being granted. The 
whole township was thoroughly canvassed for signers and doubtless 
this and the petition of the remonstrants have the names of nearly every 
citizen attached to them. 

As almost or quite every person then living in present Acushnet 
territory were in favor of division, only the list of names attached to 
the petition for the act are given below. Preserving the orthography 
and capital letters contained in the original, the petition is as follows: 

Connnonwealth of Massachusetts. 

To the Tlonble. the Senate and House of Representatives now con- 
vened at Boston : 

The Petition of us the sul)seril)ers. inlial)itants of Accuslnnit 
Village in the town of Dartmouth — Humbly sheweth — 

That the Town of Dartmouth is a large Township, Containing 
about 70,000 Acres of Land, & was formerly by nnitual agreement 
divided into three seperate Villages for the Conveniency of the Tn- 
hnbitants. always choosing a Selectman. Assessor & Collector in each 
Vilhige. & the Assessmants have always been entirely distinct, the 
same as if each Village had been an incorporate Town : this practice is 
fittended with great iiu'onvenieiice & ex|)enee. from the distance each 
Town Offieei- lives from the other. Another great Inconvenience 
your Petitioners hd)()r under is the distance they are from the Town 
House or place appointed for Town ^Meetings, many of us living 
thirteen or fourteen mih^s from said Town House and otliers living 
on the East side of Accushinit river are sul).ieet to the Inconveniency 
of crossing the River, which is a mile wide, and when across have four 



93 



miles travel of a bad Road, or of going around over the Bridge at the 
Head of the River, which renders the travel of the greatest part from 
twelve to fourteen miles. 

For those reasons and many more that might be mentioned, we 
humbly pray the Hon])le. Court to grant us a separation from the 
other Villages, by the known line that separates Accushnett Village 
from Apponegansett : Viz., beginning at a Bridge by the Sea, at a 
place known by the name of Clark 's Cove ; from thence northerly, as 
the main branch of the Brook runs, till it comes to a small Bridge 
in the County Road that leads from the Head of Accushnut River 
to Howland 's Ferry, at the foot of a Hill about twenty or thirty Rods 
Easterly of the Dwelling House lately owned by James Peckham, now 
deceased; from .sd. Bridge Northwesterly to Spooner's Saw-Mill, 
where Perry 's Bridge formerly stood ; thence Northerly by the West 
Side of the Great Cedar Swamp, to the line that divides Dartmouth 
from Freetown. And that all the Lands with the Inhabitants of 
Accushnut Village be Incorporated into a seperate Town with all 
the Powers & Privileges that other Towns in this Commonwealth do 
by Law enjoy (said Accushnut Village contains of Land not less than 
four Miles Wide and nine Miles Long, and is the East end of sd. 
Town.) By which means we shall be enabled to enjoy Town Privi- 
ledges with greater convenience and much less expence. And 3'our 
Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. 



Dartmo. Sept. 29, 1786. 



Saml. Perry 
Jireh Swift 
Jonathan Hathaway 
Jabez Hathaway 
Isaac Hathaway 
Abishai Shearman 
Joseph Kempton 
Job Shearman 
henry Shearman 
Charles Stetson Ju. 
Charles Stetson 
John Chaffee 
Jona. Swift 
Saml. Shorkley 
Corls. Dillingham 
Andrew Ritchie 
Benj. Dillingham 
Thomas Crandon 
Simson Spooner 
Micah Spooner 
William Andrews 
Jonathan Tobey 
Jonathan Tobey Jr. 
William White 
William White Jun. 
Ebenezer Keen 
Ebenezer Keen Ju. 
Jesse Keen 



William Keen 
Daniel Bennet , 
Nathan Nj^e 
Barnabas Spooner 
Benjn. White 
Oliver Price 
Thomas Kempton 
Mial Cushman 
Lemuel Tobey 
Gamaliel Brvant 
Silas Swift ' 
Christopher Tomp- 
kins 
William Allen 
Reuben ^lason 
Elijah Allen 
Setli Cushman 
Elisha ('Ushman 
Eleazer Ilfithawaj' 
Jeremiah Spooner* 
Lemuel ^lendal 
T. Paul Swift 
Eliakim Willis 
Nathll. Spooner Jun. 
Philip Spooner 
Robert Bennt Jr. 
yet Setli Pope 
Pardon Cook 



Seth Spooner Junr. 
Alden Spooner 
Joseph Samson 
Edward Samson 
Amos Bennet 
Stephen Shearman 
Abner Jenne 
Jethro Jenne 
Jabez Jenne 
William West 
Ilananiah Cornish 
John Gerrish 
Saml. Proctor Junr 
Benjn Church 
Silvanus Allen 
John Shearman 
Isaac Shearman 
Ebenezer Drew 
Jkabod Stoddard 
Daid Todd 
Killey Eldredge 
Isaac Drew 
Samuel Proctor 
Jethro Allen 
John Alden 
Joseph Church 
Elkanah Hathaway 
Elisha Parker 



*This name is written and crossed out. 



94 



Joshn.i Drew 
Arthur IIatli;iw;i\' 
Paul Allen 
Silvanus Allen 'A 
Samuel Hitch 
Pardon Taber 
Calvin Delano 
I']|)lii-aim Annable 
(leorue ITitcli 
Daniel Sunmierton 
•James Crandon 
Lemuel Williams 
Job Trij)|) 
Edman Pope 
EInalhan i*o{)e 
Sand. Hathawa.N' 
Nichols Stoddard 
I'eleii' Iluttlestone Jr 
•Joshua Doane 



Edw Pope 
Zebedee ^NfacDaniel 
William Tobey 
Wm Clafjhorn 
•lohn CaiHion 
(ieorii'e East 
Joseph Avers 
Ebenezer Fuller 
•Folin Lani;\vortli\' 
Ste{)hen potter 
Charles Church 
I*aul Inoraham 
Timo. Inuraham 
Simeon Nash 
Ebenezer Perry 
Avery Pai'ker 
Patrick Maxteld 
(ieor<i'e Clauhorn 
Zadok Maxtield 



ZacJiariah Hillnian 
■John SuUiniis 
Walter Chapman 
Philip Carnion 
•Tohn Proud 
Seth •Jenne 
Samuel Perry Junr. 
Walley Adams 
Eastland J-Jabeoek 
l*aul Cook 
Manasseh Kempton 
l^iphraim Kempton 
()l)ed Kempton 
Elijah Kempton 
AValter Sjiooner 
Ebenezr. Willis 
Samuel Allen 
'I'homs. Cook 
Thoms. Severance 




RESIDENCE OF THOMAS HERSOM, SR. 



ACUSHNET 'I'lif c\<ilu1ioii of this 1i)\\ii t'l-om the oriizinal township oi' 
TOWNSHIP Dartmouth was in this nniiuu'i': Dartmouth was incor- 
porated by tlu' IM.xiiiouth court in l()(i4. and remained 
intact till 17S7. when it was sub-di\idcd into thi'ee sectiitus of about e((ual 
diiiiciisiiiMs. 'Phis action was deemed adxisabic because of the lariic ter- 
ritory the town embraced, sectional political contentions, and as has 



95 

been stated, the inconvenience of administering the civil government of 
the town. The centre tract, which was the largest of the trio, retained 
the ancient name and government machinery of the original town. Dart- 
month, named from a seaport in the British channel. 

The western tract, which had l)een known by the Indian name 
Acoaxet, was called Westport, from the name by which the mouth of its 
river had been known, to distinguish it from the east port of the old 
town that is now New Bedford harbor. The eastern section included 
the present towns of New Bedford, Fairhaven and Acushnet. Its principal 
settlement at that date was called Bedford, in honor of one of its leading 
residents, John Russell, who bore the family name of the Duke of Bedford. 
It was learned later that there was a town in this state with the same 

















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Plioto. by Jamt'S E, Kuetl, New Bi'ilftJid 

RESIDENCE OF JEAN p. JEAN. 1905. 



name. Then it was suggested that the new town be called South Bedford, 
but the majority insisted upon its being named New Bedford. 

This territory of New Bedford was naturally divided in twain by the 
Acushnet river, which in 1S12 became tbc boundai-y line between New 
Bedford and Fairhaven. 

Fairhaven, iiu'luding the territory of Acushnet, was incorporated 
that year. The new town is said to have derived its name from its delight- 
ful location — a fair haven. The town was al)out fourteen miles long, with 
an average width of about three and one-half mik^s. It extended from 
Buzzards Bay on the south to Rochester and Freetown on the north. It 
was bounded on the east hy Rochester and Mattapoisett, and extended 
westward to the New Bedford line. 



96 



The incorporation of Fairhaven was duly celebrated by the town the 
following Fourth of July at the Precinct meeting house in Acushnet 
Village. The cxin-eises consisted of reading the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, singing an ode coni])Osed l)y Tjicut. TTcnry AVhitman of the U. S. 
navy, and a i)atriotic oration by .lames L. Hodges, Esq.. ])ostniaster at 
Taunton, INlass. This was followed t)y a sumptuous diiuier at Amos 
l*ratt"s, formerly Pope's Tavei'ii. lu'ar the Acushnet bridge. 

A fair degree of li;iriiioii\- jtrevailtMl in the civil affairs of tiu' new 
town of Fairhaven till the increase of population at the south end caused 
them, the north enders claimed, to become arrogant and dominant and 
selfish, ill that thev endeavored to control the transactions at the town 
meeting to their advantage; that they insisted the town meetings should 
be in Fairhaven ^'illage. to the great inconvenience of voters at the 
extreme north end of the town: that they were determined to have more 
than their share ol the officials of the town, and that the north part of 
the town was obliged to pay for paving, sidewalks, fire pi'otection and 
other things which could only benefit Fairhaven X'illage. This feeling 
increased till the \v;\v 185!). 




RESIDENCE OF MRS. C. C. D. (ULMOKE, 
"Col. Robinson Farm." 



Ill ;i Wiiri'aiit issued I'or a town nieetiim- in fairliavcn .Vpril 4, IS.IO, 
article eleven asked iiction on the petitions of Hew Israel Wjishlnirn and 
othei's. "now referred to the next Legislature."* with ret'ereiice to a 
division oi' the town, .-ind il was Nutcd tlint ;i commitlee of five he noini- 
iiiited iiy the clniir to deliiie ;i line ol' division of the town and report. 
This committee as ;ip|)oiii1ed and chosen consisted of Isaac "Wood. Arthur 
Cox. .lonathan ( 'oweii. Cni'us K. ('lark. ('Iiarles II. Adams, and .lohn 
Ellis. This committee reported at a meeting of .Iniie '2. lS.")!t, and this 



97 

same committee was requested to appear before the next Legislature and 
present all the facts in the case that could be procured by them. They 
did so, and not only that, but a petition in favor of the division was also 
presented, signed by a large number of the residents of the south part of 
the town. 

It appears that when the hearing . of the case came before the 
Committee on Towns it was evident from the' small attendance and 
lack of enthusiasm on the part of the divisionists, that the manage- 
ment Avas not familial' with such work. The impression made upon the 
committee did not lead it to make a favorable report, but one to refer 
the matter to the next General Court, which report was accepted. This 
failure stimulated the leaders of the movement, among whom were Jones 
Robinson, Rev. Israel Washburn, Cyrus Clark, Capt. Martin L. Eldridge, 
Col. Abiel P. Robinson, Walter Spooner, Benjamin White, William H. 
Washburn, Jabez Wood. Levi Wing and other townsmen, to renewed 
activity in the cause of division. Their vigorous, persistent efforts were 
crowned with victory by the Legislature of 1860, to which the Committee 
on Towns reported in favor of an act to incorporate the town of "North 
Fairhaven, ' ' a name by which this section of the town had been previously 
known. And the new town would have unfortunately been christened by 
the name of "North Fairhaven'' had not Capt. Eldridge led a protest 
against it, upon discovering the name in the bill as it passed the Senate. 
lie at once wrote the Senator from this district to have the bill held up 
till he received a petition to change the name. Then Capt. Eldridge wrote 
a petition to the Legislature, which was liberally signed, to "strike out 
the words 'North Fairhaven,' and insert the word 'Acushnet.' " Thus the 
only name of the three Indian tribes which were within the bounds of 
Old Dartmouth is perpetuated in the names of the four townships into 
which it has been sub-divided, and the credit of this belongs to Capt. 
Martin Luther Eldridge. 

INCORPORATION The following are the essential sections in the 
AND SET OFF Act of Incorporation. 

Sect. 1. All that part of the town of Fairhaven which lies 
northerly of the following described lines, viz. : Beginning at a stone 
monument at "Tripp's corner" in the division lines between the 
towns of Fairhaven and Mattapoisett ; thence from said stone monu- 
ment in a south westerly direction to the south east corner of the 
"Royal Hathaway farm." so called; thence in the south line of said 
I'ann to the south west corner boiuids there of; thence continuing 
westerly in the same direction to the center of the channel of Acush- 
net river, or division line between the town of Fairhaven and the city 
of New Bedford, is hereby incorporated into a separate town by the 
name of Acushnet, and the said town of Acushnet is hereby vested 
with all the powers and privileges, rights and immunities, and shall 
be subject to all the duties and requisitions to which other towns are 



D8 



entitled and subjected by tlie const it iil ion and laws of the Common- 
wealth. 

Sect. 4. The towns of Fairhaven and Acushnet shall hold the 
followintr (U'scribed j)roperty. situated in their respective limits as 
valued by tlu'ir coinniillcc. apjxtinlcd -lunc 2")tli in the year ei>ihteen 
hundred and fifty-nine, foi- the piii-]ii).se of reeeiviny: infoi-mation for 
the Leu'islatui'e to enable them to uuike a just and ecjuitahle aj)por- 
tionment of the public property'. del)ts, and burdens between the 
towns: the town of Faii'haven shall exclusivel\- hold the alms house, 
farm and property appertaining thereto: the High school house, lot. 
and fixtures contained therein: the engine house and lot in Oxford 
\'illage and the engine and fixtures containinl therein; the engine 
house and lot in the village of Fairhaven. aiul the engine atul fixtures 
therein, two second hand engines now in the village, the town house 
lot, the watch house and lot, L. 8. Aiken's gravel lot. one sale in the 
town clerk's office, and so much of othe?" pi-onerty as will nuike niiu'- 




I'li..t.>. hy .I:mims v.. Uc-d, New Hcilfonl. 

RESIDENCE OF HORATIO N. WILBUR. 



teen twenty-t hii-ds of the public jiioperty as valued by said committee. 
The town of Acushnet shall exclusively hold the cnizinc house and lot. 
together with the engine and fixtures in Acushnet village: the school 
house and lot in scdiool district numl)er eighteen, two town ])ounds. 
the Fi-eenuin Hathaway lot. the Samuel Stae.\- lot. and so much of 
ollici- pro|irrt\ as will make four 1 \ve?it \ -t hinis of the pui)lic pi-operty 
as valued ii\- said committee. .Ml other pro|)erty which may hereafter 
be found to l)elong to the town of Fairhaven. and not specified b_\- the 
said committee at the tinu' of the |)assage of this ad. shall be divided 
on the same basis. \ iz : nineteen 1 wenty-thirds to the town of Kaii-- 
haven. and four twenty-thirds to the town of Acushnet. 

Sects. 2. 3, 5 and refer to ari-earages of taxes, the sui)]>oi't of those 



99 

who were ])au]Kn-s at that time, and manner of calling first town meeting;. 

The act was approved Feb. 18th, 18(!0. Tt hears the signature ol 
Nathaniel P. Banks, Governor, and Oliver Warner, Secretary of State. 

The west line of the town, as fixed by this act. Avas the centre of the 
river below the bridg'e in the village; thence west to ^Mill road, north by 
the cast line of that road to the next corner, thence west to County 
road, and northward by that road. This line northerly from the corner 
mentioned al)ovc was changed by the annexation of a nai-row strip oC 
Acushnet territory lying' along' the east side of County road from Ball's 
or Davis's corner, a, few rods north of the viilag'e, to the 
north line of the town. This was desired l)y the residents of this section 
to give them better educational facilities, and Acushm^t g]adl\- \iclded 
to the re(juest. 




RESIDENCE OF EDWIN D. DOUGLASS, PHIL.4DELPHIA. 



The following is a portion of an act to annex a pai-t of the town of 
Acushnet to the city of New Bedford : 

Sect. 1. All that part of the town of Acushnet, with all the 
inhabitants and estates therein, lying- westerly of the following' line, 
to wit: Beginning- at the stone post numbered 29 at Davis' Corner, 
so called: thence ninning- north three degrees west to a stone post 
five rods easterly of the house of Beiijamen Peckham, ami from 
thence northerly in a straight line to the stone post that marks the 
boundary line between New Bedford, Freetown, and Acushnet, is 
hereby set otf from the town of Acushnet. and annexed to the city 
of New Bedford, and shall constitute a part of the first ward of the 
city of New Bedford until a new division of wards in said city. 
Enacted Apl. 9, 1875. 

LOFa 



100 



SITUATION OF The town of Acushnet is situated in the southeasterly 
ACUSHNET section of Bristol county, about fifty-five miles south 

from Boston. Its only steam railway facilities are 
furnished b.y the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad, which lies 
about a mile west of its western boundary. The land is generally even, 
and the soil in most parts well adapted to agricultural purposes. The 
underlying geological formation is feldspathic and granite. Most of the 




Plioto. by A. H. McCrciiry, Tliilii. 

FAIRHAVEN ROAD 
In front of Franklyn Howland's premises. 

land is high, well drained and admirably suited for residences. The 
highest point of land is Perry Hill, on the easterly side of the town, which, 
though but a mile from the river, is about one hundred and fifty feet 
above sea level. Fi'om tliis point there is a chjinnitig view of the sur- 
rounding country. This elevation has been selected as one of the stations 
of the U. S. Trigonometrical Survey. In the valley to the westward is 
the beautiful Acushnet river, which flows southerly into New Bedford 
harbor at the head of Buzzards Bay. 

Acushnet possessed a charming scenic location, and it does now, as all 
residents and those who have observed its delightful situation and sur- 
roundings ■well know. Particularly attractive is the southerly section 
of the lown lli.-it lies on the east slope of Acushiict vjillcy. 

The unohsl i-iiclcd \ic\\s tVom h'.iii'li.-ivcn i-o.id. which lii's parallel 
with the I'ivrr. on t lir I'isc of I.-iikI. ;irc (It'lJLihl t'lil. Across the beautiful 
stream the city of New Bedford has a frontage of six miles along its 
shore, and as it stands on a hiLili slope of land tlic perspective is admira- 



101 

])le. Especially brilliant and fascinating is the display when the cotton 
mills, which extend almost connectedly along one half of this shore line, 
are lighted for evening work. And doubly beautiful is this illumination 
when'^iust at nightfall these thousands of lighted windows are reflected 
from the mirrored surface of the river. If produced at great expense at 
some grand affair, this would be applauded as a gorgeous spectacle— and 
thus it is along the shore and on the bosom of lovely Acushnet river. 

Another charming view of the Acushnet river and valley and the 
town east of them can be seen at the reservoir on Mt. Pleasant in New 

Bedford. 

The outlook, extending from the Elizabeth Islands and Buzzards Bay 
at the southeast, thence along the valley of the Acushnet northerly over 
the country to the very high elevation at Perry Hill, is one of the finest 
panoramas of mingled landscape and waterscape that exists in Bristol 
County. 

Regarding the lovely and picturesque scenery along the Acushnet 
river a critic wrote half a century ago that : 

"Rivers of no greater merit than ours have been celebrated in 
history and song. Few are probably aware of the picturesque beauty 
which" it affords. But such is the case. There are views upon our 
river which would attract the eye of the most fastidious lover of 
nature." 

BUSINESS AT The new town was chiefly an agricultural tract and 

THE BEGINNING community, and as such possessed the advantage of 

close proximity to a fair market for its products in 
the growing city of New Bedford, although that town was then passing 
through a season of discouraging depression in the gradual failure of the 
whaling industry. In this it had been the foremost port in the world. 
On 'this business its life and success had almost solely depended. A com- 
plete change of productive industries became necessary, and attention 
was turned to cotton mills. The business was gradually transformed from 
the procuring of whale oil to the production of cotton fabrics— from a 
whaling city to a spindle city. To accomplish this required time and 
industry and money and courage, but by the remarkable enterprise and 
push and perseverance of its capitalists, business men and others then 
and later, the change became a success, and New Bedford has the great 
distinction of ranking- first in the United States in the manufacture of 
fine goods and fine yarns. It ranks second in the iiiiniber of spindles in its 
cotton manufactories. There were in o|)('i-;itioii in liXMi. 2,000,580 spindles 
in the forty-seven mills with a total capital of $1!),889,()()(), and employing 
20,440 operatives. The famous Wamsutta mills are the largest of these 
corporations, having a capital of $3,000,000. The par value of all shares 
is $100. One of these mills is now selling for $400, another for $300, and 



102 



several for over $200 per share. The population of the city is about 
85,000, niakin<r it a oood market for the milk and iiardcn truck which 
are the cliicf jjroducts of the suburl)an towns. 

Acushnet was financially handicapped in liaving no railroad or water 
shipping: facilities within its boundaries, consequently there were but few 
industries and their eomhined revenue to the town was small. Besides, 
beinof separated from New Bedford hy a river and not connected with it 
l)y rail, caused its i-ea! estate to be non-i)roductive, except for agricultural 




RESIDENCE OF JO.SEPH T. BROWNELL, "WOODLANDS." 

jMii'|)o.ses ; (•(inscijiiciit ly the \alnaliiin lor tax re\cnue was small, and its 
eoniMicrcial and Miami lad uriiiL; en1er|)i'ises ha\'e nut thriven as they would 
liav<' luidcr more FaN'orahle eonditions. Notwithstanding' these ol)stacles, 
our little town has made a ci'edit alile showiiiL: \u its corporate financial 
affairs, in the increase and successliil nianagement of private business 
enterprises, and tin- production of men and wcunen who have attained 
commendable pi-oniinciicc in various |)ni'suils ol' lil'c. as will he shown on 
sul)se(iuent pagi's. 



THE FIRST The petition lor the lirst town Mieetim: of the lei^al 

TOWN MEETING votei-s of Aeushnet was si-ned by Kdward (i. 

Dillingham. Levi Wing, William H. Worth. <Jeorge 
'!'. Kusscll. Sr.. .lames llammett, Charles 11. .Xdams. Benjamin Wilson, 
|)a\id Ik. riei'ce. -loseiili l\. Wing. (iodlVey ( '. Macomher and Cyi'us K. 



103 

Clark. The meetings was held in the engine house, then ;iiid now standing 
on the north side of the hi^'hway in the vilUige, nearly oi)|)()site the 
Methodist parsonajje house, on the fourteenth day of March, 18H0. 

About every citizen of the younjjest townshi]) in the ('omnionwealth 
was ])resent to witness the first movement of its j^'overnment machiiu^-y. 
Most everybody was jubilant over the victory the divisionists had won 
and the leaders of the movement were especially hajjpy. Jones Robinson 
was chosen moderator and Jabez Wood was elected toAvn clerk, collector, 
and treasurer. The other important offices of the town were tilled as 
follows: Selectmen, assessors and overseers of the {loor : Cyrus E. Chirk. 
Benjamin Wilson and Benjamin White. School committee: Jabez Wood 
for 3 years. Rev. Philip Crandon for 2 years, and George P. Morse for 
1 year. The first constable was Philip A. Bradford. Surveyor of lumber; 
Samuel B. Plamlin. Surveyor of land: Cyrus E. Clark. Fire wardens: 
George T. Russell, Sr., and William R. Worth. Board of health: Gideon 
Nye and Lewis S. Pope. Committee on accounts: David R. Pierce, 
William Brownell, James D. Burt. It is an interesting coincidence that 
Fairhaven came into existence at the beginning of the 1812 war and 
Acushnet began its career near the outbreak of the Civil War. 

As this petition calls for a separation "by the known line that sepa- 
rates Accushnett village from Apponegansett." it might have been 
thought not of importance that it should be carefully defined. 

There were two petitions in aid of the foregoing: 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives : 

The Petition of us the Subscribers, inhabitants of Acushnet 
Velige in Uartmo, humbly Sheweth, that Whereas there has Ben a 
petition presented to your Honors praying yours Honors to Incor- 
porate Sd. Vilage into a Seperate Town, and as we have not had 
opertunity to Signe Sd. petition we take this method to Express our 
Desire that the Town of Dartmo. may be Devided, and would pray 
yours to Sett off and Incorporate acushnet Vilage into a Separate 
Town. 

James Cvishman Joseph Kersey 

Jonathan Cushman Josiah Drew Junr. 

John Chadwick William Hathaway 

Bailey Grinnell Amos Merrihew 

Mitchel Pope Silvanus Hathaway 

Jethro Allen 2d Saml. Spooner 

William Spooner ]\Ioses Washburn 

Caleb Spooner George Weston 

Ezra Chaft'ee lettis Washburn 

Timothy Fogg 

The following are the signatures on the other: 

Levi Jenne Xutter Piper 

Nathaniel Hathaway Sanuiel Weston 

Richard Hammond Levi Doane 



Levin Stott Samuel Annable 

Xathl. Pope Benja. Blossom 

Thaddeus Stetson Benjamin Blossom, Jnr. 

Robert Hathaway Elisha Copeland 

Ijorinji' Taljei" Joseph Bennt 

Joseph IIntliMway David rtishman 

Joseph Blossom Joseph White 

Reuben Ilatliaway Sam I. AVhite 

This petition was granted and the new town incorporated and named 
New Bedford, not South Bedford, as was first proposed. It included all 
Ihc territoi'\' of the old town east of the present west bouiuhii'v of Ihe 
new town. This was the first of the four otfsprings of Old Dartmonth. 
The birthdays of the fVuir offsprings are as follows: 

New Bedford was incorporated by an act of the legislature dated 
Feb. 23, 1787. The territo)->- included present New Bedford. Fairhaven 
and Acushnet. 

Westport's date of incorporation was .July '2, 1787. Tliis left the 
present township of Dartmouth. 

Fairhaven hi-canie a town Fel). 22, 1812. It included ])resent 
Acushnet. 

Acushnet was the last and smallest child. It came into independent 
existence Feb. 13, 1860. when Dartmouth, the mother town, was 196 
years of age. 

^ It is rather surprising that this is the only town that had the good 
fortune to be christened l\v the name of one of the three bands of Indians 
that formerly iidiabited the lands of ancient Tushena. There Avere forty- 
three ditferent ways of spelling this name in writing and piiut to choose 
from. The one selected was Acushnet. 

TOWN It will he of inlci'est to know tlic names of all tlu' inhabitants 

OFFICERS ol' the tract now iiiclndi'd in this town who have served 
as town ot'licei's. To do this it is iiecessar'y to heuin at the 
incorj)Oi-ati(Mi of Dai'tmoutli in Kitil. All elected after 185i) were. oT 
course, ofHcei's of the town of Acushnet. 

TOWN CLERKS .\cnshnet furnished a town clerk for the original town 

of Dai'tmoutli and one foi- l''''aii'ha\eu befoi'e it was 
divided. 

•lohn Taher of Acnshnet servi'd in 17U'J-1(). when Acushnet was part 
ol" Dartmouth. 

• lalicz Taiicf of .\ciisliiirt was town clei-l< in 1S17-1S-1!!. when 
Acushnet was nart of l'\iirlia\-cn. 

The above were the only residents of Acushnet who sei'ved as town 
clerks from 1()()4 to 1860. 

The following are the only town clerks New Bedford townshii) had 



105 

until it was divided in 1812. They are given here because they have not 
been found in print. 

John Pickens from 1787 to 1792. 

Lemuel Williams from 1792 to 1800. 

John Proud from 1800 till 1815. These persons were residents oL" 
present New Bedford. 

TOWN CLERKS, At the org-anization of tlie town government of 

COLLECTORS AND Aeushnet one person was chosen to fill the three 
TREASURERS offices of town clerk, treasurer and collector. This 

practice has prevailed to the present time. The 
following jiersons have served the town in these positions. Dennis Mason 
stands at the head of the list in length of service — twelve years. 

Jabez Wood, 1860-61-62-63-61-65. 

Benjamin White, 1866-67-68-69-70. 

George P. Morse, 1871. 

George F. Glasse. 1872. 

George P. Morse, 1873-74-75-76-77-78-79-80-81. 

Caleb Slade, 1882-83-84-85-86-87-88. 

Dennis :\rason, 1889-90-91-92-93-94-95-96-97-98-99-1900. 

Alden White. 1901-02-03-04-05-06. 

SELECTMEN Of the jiersons whose names are given below those previ- 
ous to 1860 may have held the office of selectman only, 
but sul)se(pient to that date the selectmen were also assessors and over- 
seers of the poor. 

Hathaway, Arthur, 1682-83-84. Bennett, Joseph. 1789-99 and 1803. 

Hathaway, Thomas. 1700-50-54. Taber, James, 1816-17-18-19-20-21- 

Taber, Philip, 1701-02-1 6-1 <)-2(» 21- 22-23. 

22-25-26. Whelden, Joseph, 1816-17-18-19-31- 

Taber. Jonathan. 1743-4()-47. 32. 

Mandell, Moses. 1744 and 1745. Taber, Jabez, 1829-30. 
Hathaway. Thomas. 1750-54. Nye, Gideon. 1833-39-40-41. 

Swift, Jireh. 1751-52-53-55-57-58. Clark, Cyrus E., 1834-35-36-42-43- 
Hathaway. Jethro, 1756. 46 to 51 inclusive, 1853-54. 

Spooner, Walter. 1759 to 1771 and Davis, Daniel, 1837-38. 

1788 to 1796 inclusive. Mendall, George, 1844 and 1852. 

Spooner, Aulden, 1778 to 1780. ^lendell, Ellis, Jr., 1845 and 1850. 

1797 to 1803, 1807 to ISll in- Eldridge, Martin L.. 1857. 
' elusive. Hawes. John, 1857-08-09-60. 

Pope, Edward, 1782. Robinson, Abiel P., 1858-59. 

Cornish, Hannaniah, 1786. 
Hathaway. Stephen, 1788 to 1792 

inclusive. 



106 



Just one dozen different men have been on the board of selectmen 
since the incorporation <»f" tliis town — forty-seven years. The h)ngest 
service was by Walter Spooner — twenty-two years. 

Clark. Cyrus E.. 1860-61-62-63-64-65. 

Wilson. Benjamin. 1S60-61-62-68. Died Auji'. 8. 1897. 

White. Benjamin. 1S60-61-62-68-67-68-69-70-72-73-87-88. 

Taber. Pardon. Jr.. 1868 and each succeeding year until 1885. Dit'd 
Nov. 22. 1884. 

Spooner. Walter. 1868 and each succeeding year until 1887 excepting 
1879. Died March 3. 1887. 

Tuck, John. 1871. 

Morse, Joshua, 1875-76-77-78. 

Leonard. Kbenezer, 1878-79-80-81-82-83-84-85-86-87-88. Resigned on 
account of ill health. 

Mendall. Noah F.. 1885-86-87-88. 

Douglass, Mo.ses S.. 1888 to 1906 iiu-lusive. Dcclii.ed to serve longer. 

Leonard. Eben F.. 1889 to 1906 inclusive. 

Taber, Henry F.. 1889 to 1906 inclusive. 



SCHOOL COMMITTEE The figures after the names indicate the number 

of years the ixTson was elected for. 



18(i(>. 

•la be/. Wood. 3. 

Phili|) Crandon. 2. 

(Jeorge P. ^Nlorse, 1. 
1861. 

William Spooner, 2. 

Marcus Ashley. 1. 

Walter Spooner, 2. 
1862. 

^larcus Ashley. 
1863. 

Jabez Wood. 
1864. 

Amos R. Ha swell, 3. 

George T. Russell, Jr., 1. 
1865. 

George P. ]\Iorse. 
1866. 

Richard Davis, 3. 

Frederic W. Wing. 1. 
1867. 

Frederic W. Wing, 3. 
1868. 

Walter A. Davis. 3. 

Augustus White. 2. 

Charles L. Russell. 1. 
1869. 

Charles L. Russell. 3. 



1870. 

Leonard Keene. 3. 

Jonathan Taber. -Ir.. 2. 
1871. 

Ansel White, 3. 
1872. 

George F. Olasse, 3. 
1873. 

Burrage V. Warner, 3. 

George P. .Morse. 2. 
1874. 

Edward H. Ashley. 3. 
1875. 

George P. Morse, 3. 
1876. 

Burrage Y. Wariu'r. 3. 
1877. 

Charles L. Russ.'ll. 3. 
1878. 

George V. .Moi-se. 3. 
1879. 

(ieorge T. Husst'll. .|r.. 2. 

Burrage Y. Warner, 1. 
1880. 

Thomas E. Braley, 3. 
1881. 

Caleb Slade. 3. 



107 



1882. 

Perez S. DoU\ 8. 
1883. 

Thomas E. Braley, 3. 
1884. 

Caleb Slade, 3. 
1885. 

Frank T. Ilowland, 3. 
1886. 

Edward W. Ashley, 3. 
1887. 

Caleb Slade, 3. 
1888. 

Augustus White, 3. 
1889. 

Edward W. Ashlev, 3. 
1890. 

Charles M. Morse, Jr., 3. 
1891. 

Charles :\1. Morse, Jr., 3. 
1891. 

Daniel T. Devoll, 2. 
1892. 

George J. Parker. 3. 
1893. 

Daniel T. Devoll, 3. 



1894. 

Charles M. Morse, Jr., 3. 

1895. 

George A. Macomber, 3. 
1896. 

Thomas Hersom, Jr., 3. 
1897. 

Ida P. Leonard, 3. 
1898. 

William C. Ashlev, 3. 
1899. 

Thomas Hersom, Jr., 3. 
1900. 

Thomas J. Robinson, 3. 
1901. 

William C. Ashlev, 3. 
1902. 

Edward W.' Ashley, 3. 
1903. 

Thomas J. Robinson. 3. 
1904. 

William C. Ashlev, 3. 
1905. 

Emerv E. Cushman. 
1906. 

Albert S. Jenney. 



Ida F. Leonard has the distinction of being the only woman who has 
served on the school committee of the town. 



SURVEYORS OF The persons whose duty it was to construct and repair 
HIGHWAYS highways of the town were called surveyors of high- 

ways till 1900, since which time they have been 
kuown as road commissioners. 
1860. 

Burt, Joseph D. ; Hall, Gardner ; Taber, Jonathan ; Thornton, Chester. 
1861. 

Burt, Joseph D. ; Hammett, James ; Morse, Edward ; Omey, Joseph C. : 

"Potter, Thomas Jr. 
1862-63. " 

Hammett, James; Morse, Edward. 
1864. 

IMorse, Edward : Omey, Joseph C. 
1865-66. 

Morse, Edward ; Spooner, William A. 
1867. 

Morse, Edward ; Wing, Levi. 



108 

1868. 

Blackmer, Seth M. ; Jennings, Latham T. 
1869-70. 

ATorso. Joshua : S])()()nor, AVilliam A. 
1871. 

AlK-n. -James li. : Dilliiij^ham. Kdward (i.: Hail, tiarihicr ; Morse, 

Albert S. ; Morse. Charles M. ; ]\Iorse, George P. 
1872. 

J)illingham, Edward (;.; Jennings. Latham T. ; ]\Iorse. Albeit 8., 

Morse, Charles j\I. ; .Morse. Joshua. 
1873. 

Dillino-ham. Pkhvard G. ; Morse, Albert S. ; Morse, George P. 
1874. 

Morse, George P. ; Sherman, James H. : Wing, Andrew J. : Wing, 

Samuel. 
1875. 

Braley. I^riidfoi-d : .\\ e, George W. : Wing. Andrew J.; Wing, Sanniel. 
1876. 

.Mendail. .Xoali ; Warner, Lurrage Y. ; Wilson, Benjamin; Wing, 

Andrew J. 
1877. 

Brightman, Asa M.: Warner, Burrage Y. ; Wing, Andrew J.; Wing, 

Samuel ; Wilson, Benjamin. 
1878-79. 

Mendall. Xoah ; Warner. Bui-rjige Y. : Wing. Aiidi'ew .1.: Wing, 

Samuel : Wilson, Benjamin. 
1880. 

^lorse, Charles ]M.; Warner. Burrage Y. : Wing, .\ndre\v •!.: Wing. 

Sanniel ; Wilson, l^eiijamin. 
ISSl. 

C()r\\ Samuel: .Morse, Charles .M. ; Warner. Burrage Y.; Wilson, 

Benjamin ; Wing, Andrew J. 
1882. 

Benjamin Wilson. Samuel Cor\ . Jr.. Burrage Y. Wnnicr. .\ndrew J. 

AVing, Alexander Albro. 
1888. 

Benjamin Wilson, Samuel ('ory. Jr.. Burrage Y. W;ii-nei-. .\ndre\v .1. 

Wing. 
1SS4. 

Benj;iiiiin Wilson. AmlrcAv J. Wini^-. Closes S. |)oiil:I;iss. Anunstns 

Whit.'. Willniin 11. Drak.-. 
1885. 

Benjamin Wilson. Andi-ew J. Wing, Noaii F. Mendall. William 11. 

Drake. 



109 

1886. 

Benjamin Wilson, Andrew J. Wing, Noah F. Mendall, Asa M. 

Brightman. 
1887. 

Benjiiiiiin Wilson. 
1888. 

Benjamin Wilson, Latham T. Jennings. 
1889. 

Gustavus L. Bennett, appointed by the selectmen. In 1890 the town 

voted to have three road connnissioners, one of whom should be 

elected each year for a term of three years. 
1890. 

Charles M. Morse, 1 year; George A. Fuller, 2 years; James C. 

Gammons, 3 years. 
1891. 

Noah F. Mendall, 3 years. 
1892. 

George A. Fuller, 3 years. 
1893. 

James C. Gammons, 3 years. 
1894. 

William G. Taber, 3 years. 
1895. 

George A. Fuller, 3 years. 
1896. 

James C. Gammons, 3 years. 
1897. 

William G. Taber, 3 years. 
1898. 

The town voted to put the roads under the superintendence of a 

single road commissioner which plan has been in operation to the 

present time. James C., Gammons served in this capacity in 1898-9. 

1900-1-2-3. George S. Crocker in 1904-5. James H. Cobb, 190C 



CONSTABLES Our little town has had constables enough to keep 
order which they have succeeded well in doing. 

i860. 

Philii) A. Bradford; Zachcus II. Wright. 
1861. 

Zacheus H. Wright; Reuben Mason. 
1862-63-64. 

Reuben Mason; Philip A. Bradford. 



110 

1865. 

Philip A. Bradford; Benjamin Wilson. 
1866. 

Philip A. liradford ; John ]\I. Ilaiiiiiu'lt. 
1867. 

Orin S. York ; Johii M. Hammett. 
1868. 

James Warren : Jjatliani T. Jennings. 
1869-70-71-72-7.3. 

James Warren and Lorin>i' Potter. 
1874. 

Thomas Ilersom. Sr. 
1875 

'i'hdiiias Ilersom, Sr. ; Andrew -J. Win^-. 
1876. 

Sylvester Pratl ; IMiili]) A. Bradford; James Warren. 
1S77. 

Sylvester Pratt; Tliilip A. Bradford; Moses S. Douulass. 
1878. 

Phillip A. Bradford: Alexander (). Pieree; William M. Ilolme.s; 

Stephen White. 

1879. 

Sylvester Pratt; Philip A. Bradl'oi'd; Alexander (). Pierce; Stephen 

White. 
1880. 

Sylvestei- Pratt; I'hilip A. Brndford ; Alexander O. Pier<-e; Stephen 

White. 
1881. 

Philip A. Hi-adfoi-(l; Alexaiidei- (). Pieree; (Jnstavns L. Bennett; Eli 

W. Pieree. 
1882. 

Philip A. I'.radlord; Sylvestei- i'ratl; Hli \V. Pierce; .\h'\;iiider O. 

Pierce. 
1883. 

Philip A. Bradford; Sylvester Pi-att ; Eli W. Pieree: Enoch Bennett. 
1884. 

Philip \. Bradfoi-d; Sylvester Prntt ; Enoeli P.eniietl; K!i \V. Pieree. 
1885. 

Sylvester Pratt: Eli W. I'ieree; Walter T:d.er. 
1886. 

Sylvestei- Pr;itt; W;iltet- T;d..-r ; Joseph .\. Biirt. 

1SS7. 

Sylvester Pnitt ; \V;il1ef T;ii)el-; .loseph Piirt. 



Ill 

1888. 

Sylvester I*ratt ; Charles L. DevoU. 
1889. 

Sylvester Pratt; George A. P\iller. 
1890-91 . 

Sylvester Pratt; Abram L. Dillingham. 
1892-93. 

Sylvester Pratt ; George A. Parker. 
1893-9-4. 

Philip A. Bradford ; Sylvester Pratt. 
1894-95. 

Sylvester Pratt; Henry F. Taber; Charles F. I^dwards. 
1895-96-97-98-99-1900. 

Sylvester Pratt ; Charles F. Allen. 
1901-02-03-04. 

Sylvester Pratt; Charles P. Cottle. 
1903. 

Sylvester Pratt; Charles P. Cottle; Frederick J. Braley. 
1904. 

Sylvester Pratt ; C'harles P. Cottle ; Frederick J. Braley. 
1905. 

Sylvester Pratt; Charles P. Cottle; Henry A. Jackson. 
1906. 

Sylvester Pratt; Charles P. Cottle; George F. Parker. 



BOARD OF HEALTH A board of health was chosen at the first town 

meeting consisting of Gideon Nye and Lewis S. 
Pope. Since that date there have served on this board Benjamni T. Wilbnr. 
Richard Davis, Benjamin White. Walter R. Spooner, Charles M. Morse, 
Jr.. -Joseph T. Brownell. Sylvester Pratt, Joseph R. Davis, George J. 
Parker, Edward R. Ashley, Fred. H. Robinson, M. D., Edward W. Ashley, 
Noah F. Mendall, John R. Thompson, Henry Bartlett, Emery E. Cushman, 
Frederick 0. Tripp. 



AUDITORS At the hrst town meeting of Aeushnet William Brownell, 
David R. Pierce and James Burt were chosen to audit the 
accounts of the town for the ensuing year. Since that date the following 
])('i'sons have served in that capacity; Jones Robinson, Richard Davis, 
Abial P. Robinson, Benjamin White, Walter R. Spooner, Benjamin T. 
Wilbur, Edward W. Ashley, Daniel T. Devoll. Joseph T. Brownell was 
elected in 1891 and is the only person who has been auditor since that 
date. 



112 

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Several private boarding and day schools were 

maintained within the limits of this town between 
the j'ear 1825 and 1850. Those who desired a better education than the 
town provided conld obtain it in these schools which were better ('(|nii)i)ed 
foi- the work. Sketches of four of these are given below. 

UNION SEMINARY An extensive educational enterprise was developed 

on Fairhaven road. In 184-4 Gideon Xye and 
Jireh Swift, doing business at Swift's corner, now the Post Office building, 
together with John R. and Obediah Davis entered into a conil)ination to 
erect a building to be used exclusively for educational purposes, for 
boarding and day pupils. Land for this purpose was purchased that 
year of Francis D. Williams. The lot contained fourteen acres aiul was 
located on the east side of Fairhaven road about ludf a mile north of the 
present south line of the town. The premises are now owned by the 
writer. The plan of the building was a two story structure, the width 
22 feet and the entire length about 60 feet. A section of this contained 
a reception and other rooms and a tenement for the principal. A jiart of 
the building stood on the spot of the present dwelling. Fi-oni the north- 
east corner of this section an ell extended to the northward which was 
used for recitation rooms and a dormitory for students. The institution 
was named "Union Seminary." The ])uilding contractors were .Messrs. 
Wilber & Hi-adfoi'd. who commenced tlu' woi'k of construction in the 
spring of 1844. From tlie cash l)ook containing entries in relation to 
building and furnishings, now in possession of the heirs of John R. 
Davis, Jr., it appears that some of the furniture foi- the school was pur- 
chased in Oetol)er, 1844. There is no evidence, howevt'i-. in this oi- other 
record books of the seminary, that it was open for pupils till the autunni 
term of the following year. Persons who were students there in 1846 
assure me that Alonzo Tripp was the first and only principal the 
seminary ever had, and the first payment of salary to him. entered on 
the books, was made in August, 1845, ami no payment to teachei's was 
made previous to that date. A piano was brought to the seminai'X' in 
Jinie. 1845. These xcry conclusively fix the date of the o|)ening of the 
school. The reason for this long (K'lay is nowhere explaiiu'd. But 
when the educational work l)egan it is saitl the eijuipment for its prt)secu-. 
tion was fine. 

.\lon/,o Ti'ip|) was horn in Ilai'wicli. .Mass.. .March 14. iSlS son ol' 
C'aplain Samnel and P>etsey (Walkei'i Tripp. His early ediicntion was 
liniitecl to the imhlic and priwite schools of his natixc Inwu. lb' liecanie 
a sailor and had passed tliroiiLili the L:rades of ser\ice lidiii cabin lio\' 
to eoniiiiander liefoi-e lie was twenty years of age. all this time a diliLi'eut 
student of luxiks. lie L:a\e up the sea ami then became a student at 
Philips Acatlemy. Andover. Later he taught school at Sontli Deiuiis ant! 



113 

then had charge of the South Yarmouth Academy, which position he 
resigned to assume the principalship of Union Seminary at the age of 
27 years. Here he was ably assisted by his efficient young wife, who was 
Abbie, daughter of Captain David Baker of Dennis, Mass. Mr. Tripp's 
salary the first year was $500, and it was subsequently raised to $700 per 
annum. 

The following persons are recorded as teachers at the Seminary: 
Sabina Robbins, Aurelia Head, Climena Wakefield, Mary H. Munsell, 
Priscilla Alden, Maria A. Baker, Miss Payson, Mary Livermore, Mr. S. H. 
Peterson and Mr. J. G. S. Hitchcock. 'Miss Payson was a daughter of 
Dr. William Payson at Parting Ways. Miss Baker, who was a blind 
sister of Principal Tripp's wife, and Miss Alden, taught music. Miss 
Wakefield had charge of the girls' department. The average pay of the 
teachers was $150 per annum and board. Most of the students were from 
southeastern Massachusetts. Among them were the following persons: 
Akin, Lucy; Albert, Abby; Allen, Gideon. 

Barker, F. A. ; Barker, Robert T. ; Bates, Deborah ; Bennett, Robert. 
Clark, A. C. ; Clark, E. F. ; Coggeshall, Frederick ; Comstock, Joseph ; 
Cook, Gilbert M. S. ; Cook, Maria; Cox, Arthur; Cox, Lizzie P.; Cox, 
William; Crane, Frederick; Cranston, Mary. 

Gibbs, Clara ; Gibbs, Lucy ; Gifford, G. ; Godfrey, Mary. 
Hallett, Amelia, (married John A. Hawes) ; Hallett, Frederick 
Hallett, Manton; Hathaway, James F. ; Hawes, L. ; Hillman, Walter 
Hitch, Elizabeth, (married Henry Johnson) ; Howland, B. Franklin 
Howland, George H. ; Howland, Isabella, (married S. Henry Gifford) 
Howland, John H. ; Howland, Mary, (married Isaiah W. Taber). 
Kempton, George ; Kempton, Hannah. 

Lund, Eliza S., (married James Curtis) ; Lund, Rebecca, (married 
Charles Taber) ; Luce, Sarah R., (married Hervey E. Luce). 
Mayhew, Bartlett ; Mayhew, Elizabeth. 

Nye, Abbie; Nye, Alfred, Jr.; Nye, Clara G., (married George F. 
Bartlett) ; Nye, Jane S., (married Hammond) ; Nye, Jane F. ; Nye, 
Lydia ; Nye, William B. 

Packard, Francis ; Parker, Warren W. ; Payson, Hannah. 
Ricketson, David; Ritchie, Francis H. ; Robbins, Sarah L. ; Russell. 
Amelia B. ; Russell, Elizabeth, (married Levi Jenney) ; Russell, E. F. R. ; 

Russell, F. R. . -, -r o j* ^ 

Sampson, Daniel; Sampson, George; Sandford, James; bandtord, 

William; Savery, Mary; Sawin, Francis; Simpkins, John,( married Ruth 
Terry) ; Sowle, Albert ; Sloat, Alexander L. ; Sloat, Jerusha ; Sullings, 
Ann ; Swift, N. H. 

Taber, Charles; Taber, Isaiah; Taber, William; Thomas, R. ; Tilling- 
hast, JohnT.; Tillinghast, Joseph; Thatcher, George W. ; Thatcher, Otis 
T. ; Taylor, Sarah ; Turner, Geo. D. 



114 

Weeks, E. C. : White, Abby ; White, Adeline ; AVhite, Jane ; Whitwell, 
Fiirman R. ; Wood, Jolm A.; Wood, Lemuel. 

A record book of attendance and recitations is in possession of those 
having the ensh book. Here is a copy of a bill for tuition for John H. 
llowhind. one ot ilic pi-cscnt hojii'd of sclcd men of Fairhaven, made out 
to his mother : 



m 




a « o » 



IIo Union Scminar\> (Io...."H)r. 

_^_»_ Tuition 11 weeks, at So per 11 weeks, . . . 85.00 

-^ — ,|,|l Extra: Latin — French — Spanish — Drawiiiii' — Music, 

_^.-^ Books, V>i<i <//, ........ .20 

^~^ Stationery, ........ .0.5 






\ Received Payment, 
Jnlt/ 'Jtli, 1846. 



0.;^iJ 



i 



Sa^/on:o ^rr/i/i, Z/r(?ic(^ia/ 



The ornamental trees, elms, Norway spruces and horse chestnuts 
now standing on the premises Avere set out in 1846 and 1847 as determined 
or iiulicated by receipted bills for them, consequently they were set sixty 
years ago and most of them are sixty feet tall. 

Mr. Tripp wrote that in consecjuence of ill liciltli of his wife he was 
obliged to sever his connection with the institution before the close of 
iiis second year, 1847. ami ttiei-c is no iccoi-d that the school continued 
after that year. There is no doubt that the ex{)eriment proved a failure 
and the enterprise was abandoned at this date. 

The building was used afterwards for nothing but a dwelling house 
until the property was purchased in 1851 l)y Lettice, son of Lettice Wash- 
burn, of this town. i\Ir. Washburn also l)ought the tract of real estate 
situated on the west side of the same road a few i-ods north, which is now 
the homesteads of Samuel Jr.. and Arthur ('. Cory. There was no house 
on this farm at that time. ]\Ir. Washburn built a grist mill on the stream 
and the dwelling house near it. lie also moved a section of the seminary 
building onto this ]ilat of land, and this is now the dwelling house of 
Sanuu'l Cory. .Ir. The balance oi the seniinai> sti-uctnre is now standing 
on the old ronndalion. It |i|-escn1s the old IVoiit but additiiuis of bay 
wimlow.s. an ell. ])ia/./.a platfor-ms. etc.. have been made. The drive and 
grounds are as oi-iginally laid ont. and as ai'e shown in the accompanying 
half lone of the place. 



115 




Photo, by A. H. McCreary, Phila. 



RESIDENCE OF FRANKLYN ROWLAND 
Formerly Union Seminary 



THE LONG PLAIN A successful boarding school was conducted for 
BOARDING SCHOOL a time at Long Plain in this town called "The 

Long Plain Boarding school." The leading 
organizer of this institution was Rebecca H., daughter of Humphrey and 
Eunice (Hathaway) Davis, who resided in what is now the "Crandon 
house," situated next north of the present town school house. This 
dwelling house was on a farm owned by William Rotch of New Bedford 
and both were leased by Mr. Davis. The residence was used for the 
boarding house of the school. The school building stood between the 
boarding house and the present Methodist church. The enterprise was 
started in 1831. Miss Davis was ably assisted from the start hy her 
sister Hannah. Both of these young women were energetic, capable, 
businesslike and well educated. Their father, who was a thrifty, intelli- 
gent Quaker, had aided them in procuring a good education and prepara- 
tion for teaching. Rebecca had the advantage of a course at Wilbraham 
Academy and this with her superior executive ability fitted her to under- 
take this enterprise. Her mother was the manager of the boarding house, 
and the farm and outdoor affairs of the institution were conducted by 
Mr. Davis. The superior mental and moral characteristics of the Davis 
family were well known throughout all this section and parents at once 



116 

entrusted children to the care of this school. On the register Avere names 
of pupils from the leading families of New Bedford, Fairhaven and other 
towns in this locality, and from other states. Languages and some of 
the sciences were taught and- students were fitted for higher institutions 
of learning. The school was reputed to be an ideal one in moral training 
and instruction in good manners. The school grew in popularity and 
inimbers under efficient iiuiiiagement till it became necessary to build addi- 
tional room and increase the teaching force.- One of the teachers was 
Miss Sarah L. Sherman of IMiddleboro. 

There was a new departure taken in the management of the school in 
1838 with interesting conclusions which were not publicly iintici])ated at 
tliat date. Kev. Ira Leland, an educated, i)n'posst'ssing young man. was 
then the popular pastor of the Baptist church in this little hamlet. The 
Davis sisters olfered him tlic head of the teaching department and he 
accepted. A circular advertising the school sent out in 1838 announces 
"Rev. Ira Leland Priiici])l(' of the ]\lale Department and Kebecca H. Davis 
Principle of the Female Depai'1 uicnl. " It does not appear that ]\Iiss 
Rebecca had any designs in securing the pedagogy of Pastor Leland other 
than to sti'engthen tlic I'actilty n\' the insl il iil ioii to wliicli slic \v;is so 
devoted. Imt it is an interesting and suspicious fact that Miss Rebecca 
later became the hai)p\' ]\lrs. Ti-a TjcI.iikI. 

It is said the school was in existence about twenty years. The above 
Ilainiah II. Davis married Captain Prince Sears of Soutli Dartmouth, 
IMass. The school building was suhscijuently converted into a grocery 
store conducted by William Alden & Bros, and finally was consumed by 
fire. 

Ilumphi-cy I)a\is was bi-otlii-i- of .lohii 1\. Davis, a Ki-iciids id-caclicr, 
and John was father of .John I\. Davis, who was for many years a mer- 
chant in A<Misliiict viihigf and one of the pfoiti-ictors of "Union Semi- 
nary" in this town. 

THE RUSSELL A private school was conthicled i'oi- a pei'iod in- 

PRIVATE SCHOOL eluding the year 1850 at the homestea.l of Mr. and 

]\Irs. David Russell, situated on tile west side of 
Fairhaven road a third of a mile south of ratting "Ways, formerly the 
Judge Edward Pope place. ]\Irs. Russell, who \\as Miss ]Mary G. Parker, 
was the matron and her sister Sophia L. had charge of the educational 
matters previous to 1837. She was aided in this (le])ai't nient of the woi-k 
by Charlotte, daughter of Ki'v. AVilliam (ionld. pastoi- of the Congrega- 
tional church and ])rincipal of (iould Seminary, both in Fairhaven; Sarah 
Bi'iggs of Rochester. ]Mass.. pi-oltably daughter of Rev. ^Ir. Briggs: ^lei-ey 
Perkins of Hochester: ^liss Coi-nelia .\. -lewett and M i"s. Tweedy. 

Sophia Park'cr marrieil Dr. La Fore, a native of Kentuckv, a cler'^v- 



117 

man and physician, and they soon became missionaries at the Sandwich 
Islands. They were there a few years and soon after their return to Mrs. 
La Fore's native town she died. Dr. La Fore subsequently married the 
above Miss Tweedy. The moral and educational status of this school was 
of a high order and it was well patronized. One of the teachers assured 
the writer that IMrs. Russell was a superior woman, energetic, of fine 
executive ability and possessed a lovable Christian character. 

A few persons who attended this school are now living, among whom 
is a daughter of David Russell, widow of Levi Jenney and now wife of 
G. Henry Gifford, all living at Fairhaven. 

THE KEMPTON Including the year 1830 a private school for day and 
SCHOOL boarding scholars was conducted in the Stephen 

Kempton house, then standing on what is now known 
as the Laura Keene farm on the Fairhaven road. This house, which stood 
on the foundation of the present dwelling house, was burned a few years 
ago. Jonathan Kempton and his family occupied the house where the 
school was opened previous to 1830 by his daughter Mary, who was 
assisted in the school department in 1831.32 by Mary Abbie Brown of 
New Bedford. 

These young women held the confidence of \he community to such a 
degree that very young children were placed in their care to board and 
be taught. They devoted a part of the time to manual training and needle 
work. House work and gardening were also a part of the ''Kempton 
School" curriculum. Eliza A. Allen, now widow of Captain James Allen 
of Long Plain, was a boarding scholar there at seven years of age {in 1831) , 
and possesses an exquisite sampler which she worked there at that time 
under the instruction of these teachers. 

Mary Kempton was subsequently married to a Captain Kempton and 
after his death, to Joseph Gifford. Her sister Hannah married Melvin 
Bradford and they were parents of the famous artist. William Bradford. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS A student of the lives of the Massachusetts Puri- 
tans writes that they were possessed with intellect- 
ual vigor, literary culture, political sagaQity, patriotic devotion and 
strength of religious conviction. These noble characteristics were mani- 
fested in the declaration made by some of them soon after their arrival 
here, that 

"After God had carried us safe to New England and we had 
builded our houses, provided necessities for our livlihood, reared con- 
venient places for God's worship, and settled the civil government, 
one of the next things we longed for and looked after was to advance 
learning and perpetuate it to posterity." 

The first action of the General Court of Massachusetts on the subject 



118 

of education was taken in 1642, when the selectmen of towns were em- 
powered to have the general oversight of the education of children. Five 
years later was enacted the school law which was the germ of the seiiuol 
system of this Commonwealth. ]\Ieantime the Plymouth Court was using 
its influence and power in advancing the cause of education within its 
jurisdiction, and continued to do so till the colony was annexed to 
Massachusetts in 1692. 

The subject of popular education received a fresh impetus when the 
Revolutionary "War period had closed, and on the 25th of January, 1789, an 
elaborate law embodying all the best known features of school law at that 
date was enacted. It authorized the division of towns into school districts 
and provided for the official supervision of the schools by ministers or 
selectmen, or by committees chosen for the purpose. This Avas the first 
legislative sanction of a district system. This gave no powers to the 
district. All expenses must be met by voluntary subscription. 

There was naturally an immediate demand for a change from this 
permissive law to one giving the district power to tax the people of the 
district to meet its financial requirements. This was provided for in an 
act of Feb. 28, 1800. 

Another step was taken by the Act of June 17, 1817, when school 
districts were made corj)orations with powor to sno and ho sued and to 
enforce contracts. 

A law passed in 1827 made the sehuul district almost an iudi'})end('ut 
political forum. They chose their own "prudential committee man" who 
was almost an autocrat, for about all the limitation to the district's power 
was that no teacher could be employed who did not possess a certificate of 
qualification as such fi-oni llie town school committee. Various changes 
were made in the law as the years went l)y l)ut until the final abolition 
of the district system in 1882 it was never other than w hat Hon. George 
S. Boutwell, who was State secretary of education, described it to be in 
1859 : 

"Admirably calculated to secure poor schools, incompetent 
teachers, consequent waste of public money, and yet ncitlnM- Commit- 
tee, nor district, nor towns be resi)onsil)lo therefor." 

The records show that the inhabitants of Old Dartmouth pi'ovidcd for 
the education of their children long before the compulsory state law of 
1789, but the fact no doubt is as indicated by written documents that the 
education of the first l)oru of this town was not neglected. We have to 
rely wholly upon public records for a knowledge of ]>laces where cliihlren 
were taught. Nothing is found there regarding sclu)ols previous to 1700, 
except that two indictments of the town were presented by the grand 
jurj- in 1698 and 1699 against the town for neglecting to choose a scliool- 
master. To this the selectmen responded tlial "llicre were several school- 



119 

masters." The matter was dropped here. A third presentation was 
made in 1701 for the same cause and received the same defence, which 
evidently was unsatisfactory. As the town failed to show a certificate 
of the qualification of the schoolmaster a fine of five pounds was imposed 
by the court. There is found no record of an appropriation of money 
for educational purposes previous to this date but it is a significant occur- 
rence that the following year, 1702, the town voted to expend forty pounds 
for the expense of a schoolmaster, and an annual appropriation was made 
for school purposes each succeeding year till the division of the town in 
1787. Nothing more is recorded of indictments. 

Notwithstanding there were three distinct villages in the town, 
namely: Cushena, Ponegansett and Coakset, only one schoolmaster was 
chosen for the whole township previous to 1727. This was Daniel 
Shepherd and his annual salary was eighteen pounds and his ''diet." He 
doubtless divided up his pedagogical services between the three villages 
of the town. That there was an increasing clamor for more school- 
masters is evident from the fact that in 1727 the town voted to have 
"two schoolmasters besides the old grammar master, to teach children to 
read, write and cypher." In 1728 the school question must have provoked 
considerable discussion. The town voted to have three schoolmasters, 
Daniel Shepherd, William Palmer and William Halliday. 'In conformity 
to an order of the court the town voted to have a grammar school, and 
. Christopher Turner was employed for five years as grammar master. 

About the same time a demand was made for a committee of three 
persons residing in each of the three villages to arrange for schools in 
their neighborhood. This was granted and the committee for this section 
of the town was Stephen West, Jr., Jacob Taber and Henry Samson. 

There was a slight innovation made in 1731, probably from the 
growing demand for sailors in this locality, and William Taber was 
employed for the ensuing year for sixty pounds and was "to teach English 
grammar and the art of navigation. Those that were taught navigation 
to pay the town 50 sliillings each." This manner of school management 
continued many years. There were employed as schoolmasters besides 
Mr. Shepherd, William Palmer, Thomas Mugglestone, William Lake and 
Eliokim Willis. The latter was assigned to Acushnet in 1738, and the 
parents of the pui)ils were to furnish "his diet without charge to the 
town." Or as the practice was termed later, he was to "board 'round." 
a plan which prevailed in most all rural districts up to half a centur\- 
ago. Whereal)outs in Acushnet Eliokim taught no one knows, but the 
writer "reckons," as the people of our south land say, that it was in a 
schoolhouse that stood in the highway at the southeast corner of Parting 
Ways a hundred years ago, and one who went to school in it then told me 
it looked seventy-five years old at that date. This may have been the first 



120' 

sehoolhouse in the Acushnet section of the ancient town. Mr. Willis was 
a member of the Precinct church here, and is said to have been a gospel 
minister. 

The only public record found of a schoolhuusu standing in Dartmouth 
previous to 1770 is of one which was located on the highway at the top 
of the hill west of Apponegansett village, the next lot west of the old 
town house. This is not conclusive evidence, however, that there was 
none at Acushnet village for these reasons: In former days it was fre- 
quently the case that a sehoolhouse was erected within the bounds of the 
highway. There may have been sales or gifts or loans of land for such 
purposes and the legal documents regarding such were never recorded: 
furthermore, in such an instance the abandonment of the lot would not 
be of record. 

Provided there was a sehoolhouse in each of the three villages named 
before New Bedford was set off, the distance from each of them to the 
remote part of that section, in many instances eight miles or more, and the 
fact that much of this period only one schoolmaster was provided for the 
entire town, indicates that some of the children had no advantages and 
the others but limited benefits of the town schools. That men and women 
from the class of children remote from these centers were educated, is 
made apparent by their writings now in existence, which supports the 
belief that private schools existed in the sections extremely distant from 
these villages. 

When New Bedford became a town it moved as sluggishly in provid- 
ing educational facilities as its mother town of Dartmouth, and it had 
similar difficulties to contend with. Its inhabitants were widely scat- 
tered ; there were four centres of population : New Bedford, Fairhaven, 
Long Plain and Acushnet Village; and its territory was divided by a 
river which was unbridged for seven miles within the town. It continued 
in the ruts of the old town by appointing a schoolmaster at the first town 
meeting and this act was repeated at each meeting for several years. 

New Bedford had a commendable streak of generosity in 1798 when 
a committee of eight persons was chosen, including Alden Spooner, 
Edward Pope, Joseph Bennett and Ebeuezer Keen of now Acushnet, "to 
inquire into the number of poor children in said town necessary to send to 
school at the expense of the town and the sum required." The recom- 
mendation of the committee to appropriate the sum- of $200 for that 
purpose was adopted and the town was authorized to expend the money 
on the most needy children. This practice continued till 1812, the sum 
being increased annually till it reached $1,000. 

New Bedford was divided in 1812 when Fairhaven including Acush- 
net became a separate township, and it is plain that Acushnet up to this 
date had no public school favors, except what little it may have received 



121 

from the "one schoolmaster" system for more than two hundred square 
miles of territory, and the fund for poor children. The inhabitants were 
left to provide in aprivate w^ay for the education of their children. This 
they did by establishing schools in dwellings and in houses erected for 
the purpose by an organized body of men called "proprietors." One 
sueh^ in which a number of citizens of this town were financially interested 
and to which they sent their children, was in existence before the division 
of the town of New Bedford. The building stood on the north side of the 
road between Lund's corner and the village bridge, just west of a flat 
rock and in the southeast corner of the present estate of Humphrey H. 
Swift. It w^as then the property of William Kempton who in 1798 con- 
veyed it to the following persons who were "Proprietors of the Social 
School," namely: William Kempton, Humphrey Hathaway, Edward 
Wing, William Gardner, Nathaniel Spooner, Jr., John Hawses, Samuel 
Perry, Philip Spooner, Jonathan Swift, Jireh Swift, Jr., Benjamin Dilling- 
ham, William Hathaway, Samuel Perry, Charles Stetson, John Chaffee, 
John Crandon, Philip Crandon, Charles Churchill, Amos Pratt, Paul 
Swift, Niel Cushman, Ezra Chaffee, Joseph Drew, John Chadwick, Jabez 
Hathaway. These men lived in and about the village on both sides of the 
river. They at once constructed on this spot a one room building. This 
institution of learning was soon destroyed by fire. The proprietors at 
once erected upon the ashes another house for school purposes which 
was given the significant name of Phenix school. This house was a 
two room, one story building, the longest from west to east, its northeast 
corner near the rock. Among those who taught there were Amy Ball, 
Lemuel Armsby, Hannah, daughter of Rev. Samuel West, and Captain 
William Gordon of Revolutionary war fame. These all resided in the 
vicinity of the school. 

The following is the formal petition relating to the school before it 
was opened : 

"Whereas, the proprietor of the Phenix schoolhouse have deter- 
mined to have a school commence in a house as soon as may be and in 
order that the time of setting said school should not be procrastinated 
by waiting for the proprietors' proposal, nor the completion of the 
house, it is necessary that the required number of children should be 
engaged immediately. 

Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises we whose names 
are hereunto inscribed do severally engage to send the number an- 
nexed to our names to the school contemplated and paj' our ratio of 
the expepses of the same. 

New Bedford, Nov. 3, 1799." 

It has no signatures and may be a copy of a signed one. 



122 

Here is an interesting, self explanatory communication from Captain 
Gordon, who was a resident of this town : 

New Bedford, Mass. 
To the Committee of Phenix School. 

Gentlemen : I am informed that you have it in contemplation to 
move some of the scholars from the east to the west end of the school- 
house and place them under my tuition. Against such a procedure 
I beg leave to offer to your consideration some objections which 
operate forcibly in my mind : 

1. The teachers being of different sexes, I believe no authority 
can be found either in the constitution or subsequent rules to warrant 
it. 

2. The terms of compact are essentially different between the 
contracting parties. 

3. The scholars are now placed under the tuition of those 
teachers whom their parents wished and willed. 

4. The removal will lay me under peculiar disadvantages, as I 
shall have to contend (perhaps) against prepossessions unfavorable 
to me as a teacher. 

5. Should a removal take place I conjecture my school will be 
considered as a Botany Bay to receive the obstreperous and unruly 
only; by this means 1 shall lay under the odium of not keeping good 
government in my school. 

6. It is at present not ascertained whether my school is full or 
not, many have not come forward that I expect daily. 

The foregoing are some of the prominent objections which are 
offered by your hbl. svt. WILLIAM GORDON. 

Phenix School House, Nov. 30, 1804. 

This schoolhouse and lot in some way became the property of New 
Bedford. In 1840 that town conveyed it to Jireh Swift, 4th, who then 
owned the estate of which the lot was formerly a part. The building was 
moved to the north side of Tarkiln Hill road and is now the next dwelling 
house west of Hawes ])on(l. Then the district purchased of AVilliam 
Spoonei- the lot south ot the Congregational church property on the 
County road, and built a schoolhouse. which was transferred to the 
town. This schoolhouse was subsequently moved across llic way and is 
now the Hancock engine lH)use. On this then vacant lot tiic city l)uilt tlie 
schoolhouse which stands there at this time. 

Dissatisfaction ovci- tlir iitirortniiati' state of scliool affairs caused 
New Bedford in 1811 to appoint conunittees in (liff'erent sections of the 
town to oversee the matter of schools, in their locality. The members 
of this committee of the "iioi-t beast district" (AcushnetV were Captain 
John Hawes. Jonathan I 'ope and Alden S])oonei'. This eoininittee did 
nothing at that time, as it was evident New Bedford was soon to be divided, 
which act occurred in February, 1812. and Fairhaven, including ])resent 
Acushnet, became an independent township. 



123 

The territory of the new town was almost wholly on the east side 
of the Acushnet river and conditions were such that the inhabitants were 
encouraged to greater diligence in the cause of education than had 
prevailed. The district system had then been in operation some time in 
the Acushnet section. Schoolhouses had been erected and schools main- 
tained in thickly settled neighborhoods by the inhabitants of the districts 
that had been laid out by the town authorities. 

A little later Acushnet was divided into nine districts, each of which 
owned a house and supported a school. These were numbered and named 
and located as follows : 

No. 1. Bisbee district. The house stood a little east of the junction 
of the Keen and Peckham roads at the north end of the town and is now 
a dwelling house. The present No. 1 house is located a few yards west of 
the old one. 

No. 2. Whelden district. The first house stood on the west side of 
Mill road on the corner of a way leading from the end of Whelden lane to 
Nye's lane, on land of James Burt. The schoolhouse of this district now 
stands on the same side of Mill road about two hundred yards farther 
north. It was moved from its former location in 1847. 

No. 3. The White district. The house was on west side of the Mill 
road a few feet north of the head of White's factory road and of the 
residence of Augustus White. The school was discontinued before 1859. 

No. 4. The Village district. The original house here is now the 
town house and town's library. 

No. 5. Long Plain district. The house stood on the Long Plain 
road in the southeast corner of the next lot north of the Friends' meeting 
house grounds. Its successor stands in the village on the same side of the 
road. 

No. 6. Hammett district. The house was located on the east side of 
Long Plain road a few yards south of Middle road in the southwest corner 
of a large tract. 

No. 7. Perry Hill district. The house occupied a position where 
the present one is at the southwest corner of Perry hill and Mandell 
roads. 

No. 8. Packard district. The first house here was located on the 
east side of Long Plain road about five hundred feet south of the way 
leading to Cushman's box factory, opposite Elihu Pope's house. It was 
moved south to the opposite side of the same road to a location in the 
southeast corner of the estate then or later of Emery Cushman. 

No. 9. Wing district. The building stood on the south side of 
Mattapoisett road a few rods west of Cornish's corner, southeast of the- 
present residence of Thomas 0. Hathaway. 

There was no schoolhouse south of Parting Ways, in present Acush- 
net. The next district south of that point was the Royal Hathaway 



124 

district. No. 10. This was partly in present Aeuslmet and part in now 
Fairhaven. The building was located on the west side of the highway, 
on the south of, and close to the line that divides the towns. This was 
not a "little red schoolhouse" so much written about. It was painted 
pink and was known then, and is now by the older inhabitants, as the 
"pink schoolhouse," On the division of the town it was moved to a point 
almost across the way from the present Oxford schoolhouse. It is now a 
dwelling house at the south end of what might with propriety be named 
Flat Iron Green, located at the junction of Main and Adams streets. 

An approximate date of the erection of the first school houses in 
Acushnet could be made if there were records of transfer of land for the 
building lots, but not one such of Acushnet land is in the registry of 
deeds. As already stated my belief is that the first schoolhouse on the 
east side of Acushnet river stood in the highway at the southeast corner 
of Parting Ways — the Meeting-of-the-Ways from the north, south, 
east and west extremes of this tract. It was placed in what 
was then probably near the geographical and numerical centre of 
the inhabitants who patronized it, for these doubtless included homes 
west of the bridge. The balance of this "northeast section" was at that 
period sparsely populated and this was the proper place for the first 
house to stand. 

The old district system as stated above was provided for by the 
legislature of 1827. The town's committee having oversight of all the 
schools was chosen by ballot at the annual town meeting. The towns were 
divided into districts and a Prudential Committee was chosen by either 
the town, or the district, usually the latter. How school affairs were 
managed, the condition of the schoolhouses and their surroundings in 
the days of the district system where the Prudential Committee man was 
the supreme power, is interesting!}^, fearlessly and vividly described in the 
annual report of the schools of old Fairhaven for the years 1843-44, a 
pamphlet of fifty pages in small type, sixteen of which are devoted to the 
nine schools of Acushnet. There was a town committee of five persons. 
The nine schools of the Acushnet section of the town were under the special 
charge of Jones Robinson and Dr. Samuel Payson, the Acushnet members 
of this committee, and Mr. Robinson was the chairman. It does not appear 
who the writer of the report was, but it has the earmark of Mr. Robinson, 
who was well known to the writer. He used a free lance in his attacks 
upon committee men, teachers and inhabitants. The following few para- 
graphs from this unique report will be enjoyed by those who "got their 
schooling" in one of these shacks. The report says of 

District No. 1. — "It is situated Avest of the river at the extreme north. 
Everything in and about the schoolhouse promises a sorry, sorry picture. 
If you have ever seen an old man, whose manifold vices are written on his 
every feature, and imprinted on every limb — covered with rags — dragging 



125 

out the few last days of his miserable existence in the poor house or pen- 
itentiary ;— whose every appearance invites death to rid himself and the 
world of so loathsome a thing ; see him as he stands in relation to man- 
kind, then, you may form a fair idea of this house and its fixtures, as it 
stands in relation to education." 

The house is unpainted inside and outside but embellished with jack- 
knife carvings on all sides. Your Committee counted more than thirty 
cuts and marks of the grossest obscenity, corrupting the morals of children. 
The school room is about 14x16 feet, and only 7 feet 3 inches high, and 
there are found thirty children stowed away. There is not a point oi 
the compass that some scholar did not face. All the larger scholars 
are arranged on the outside of the room; some facing in and some out; 
on roosts — for such seats deserve no better name— from 20 to 22 inches 
high, five inches liigher than a common chair made for adults. There 
is no such thing as sitting on the seat and touching the floor at the same 
time. The perpendicular si(k- of the house made the backs of all the 
seats that had any backs at all. There were two seats lower than the 
rest, but without backs. The room was heated by a close wood stove, 
without legs, seated very comfortably, flat upon the floor ; the pipe, for a 
considerable space, was gone, but made ''as good as new," by stuffing 
paper into the cavity. Air at a temperature of 30 degrees was continu- 
ally blowing through the cracks upon the backs of the scholars who were 
suffering from a heat of 80 or 90 in front. It is a mystery how the 
scholars here learned anything." 

District No. 2 — "The schoolhouse is bad — positivel}^, though not com- 
paratively. There is no wood house and the fire wood was strewed 
in every direction, some in the snow and some in the gutter of the road ; 
indications of a shivering School th(> next morning. The Committee 
looked in vain for another I)uilding — which f;u'l the very ink in our pen 
blushes to record." 

District No. 3— "The committee found the temperature 90 degrees, 
yet there was no indication that it was hotter than usual. Every boy 
had his jacket off and they Avere hung up around the room. We asked 
one boy if he had a comfortable seat ; he answered : 'No I can't sit on my 
seat and touch my feet to the floor, and I have nothing to lean against.' 
The prudential committee man knows that he is bound by law 'to 
provide every thing comfortable for the scholars,' yet he allows them to 
be bothered through the whole year in this manner. We pitied the boy 
but could not relieve him. Does the committee man know the painful 
effects of sitting, or trying to sit on such seats? Let him. or any one who 
is curious to know, go to a pair of bars, take out all the rails but the toi> 
one, and- sit on that for three hours, and our word for it, he will be able to 
describe the efforts very nearly; but to experience it in full he must be 



126 

surrounded by a vitiated atmosphere at a 'temperature of 80 to 90 
degrees. " 

District No. 4 — "There was no school in this district during the 
winter. The fact there is no schoolhouse in this district, ai^id never has 
been any, is an indication that the state of education there must be at 
a low ebb. Some years ago the district voted to raise a sum of money 
sufficient to build a good house, and the taxes were assessed, and a part 
actually collected; but by some hocus pocus manoeuvre, best known and 
understood by those who caused it, the whole matter was stopped in 
transitu, and nothing more has ever been done about it." 

District No. 5 — "The house is altogether too small, for the numbei- 
of scholars penned up in it. In the construction of our schoolhouses, 
it never seems to have been a question, how can we construct the house, 
so as best to promote the comfort and education of our children? — but 
on the contrary, the only question seems to have been, how can we get 
the greatest possible number into the least possible space? — and the man 
who could answer that question, and build the house the cheapest, was 
of all men, the very man to build it. — Or if a building committee was ap- 
pointed, instead of putting on the committee men who know the wants 
of the school, they first put on a house carpenter, because he can tell of 
what materials, and in what manner the house can be built cheapest ; then 
perhaps a sea captain — he has been accustomed to stowing the hold of 
a ship — consequently he can stow children so as to take up the least 
possible space; the third is, perhaps, a farmer, who don't pretend to know 
what is necessary — he thinks it politic to leave the whole matter to these 
wiseacres. Having settled upon the plan, dimensions, and all, they issue 
their manifest, and call for proposals. "Well, every mechanic knows that 
the committee's object is, a cheap house; they look about them to see 
if they can find materials enough that will do for nothing else, conse- 
quently very cheap, and he who can furnish the poorest stock generally 
gets the job. The requisite number (no matter about the quality) of 
boards and shingles are put together, and they call it a school house, 
and the committee boast how little it cost, and really wonder how a 
school house could be built so cheap; and it is a wonder to everybody 
else, if they haven't seen it. Some of the more judicious may grumble but 
they are stopped by being told that 'the carpenter had a hard job' — 
and so he had." 

District No. 6 — "Besides a lack of other necessities," the committee 
claims, ' ' there is no ventilator, ' ' and ask ' ' What is the conclusion ? Why, 
that the people of this district have more regard for their cattle than they 
have for their children : no one thinks of keeping a stable that is not 
ventilated, horses must have pure air to thrive, and is the health of n 
horse of more consequence than the health of your child? Think of it- 



127 

Besides, nobody ever thought of stowing horses so close in a stable 
as the children are packed in this school-room." 

District No. 7 — "The people are dead upon the subject of education; 
they raise so much money, and choose their committee at the town meet- 
ing, then elect their Prudential Committee, and he gets somebod}^ to keep 
the school; there ends any farther thought upon the subject. And if this 
report awakens an interest — induces the parents of this town to think 
upon the subject, it will have fulfilled the purposes for which it was 
drawn up." Here they found a ventilator^" a broken place of a yard 
or two in the ceiling overhead. The seats, particularly some of the back 
ones, are bad enough ; all the seats front the centre ; the evil of this is. 
that the scholars are all facing nothing in particular, except one another. 
We have no opinion of placing the teacher behind their backs, a scholar 
may pretend to study, and if the teacher is behind him. he cannot detect 
the deception, and their vci-y position tempts to such deception; but, 
if the teacher can see the countenance of the scholar, this cannot be done. 
Again it lirings all the spare room there is just nowhere, just where it 
ought not to be, and the stove is generally placed in the centre of that, so 
that no good space is left for recitations, and a school room, without such 
a space, is like a theatre without a stage, a great deal might be performed, 
if there Avas anywhere to do it; all have the spine distorting, perpendic- 
ular backs. The back seats are two feet high from the floor ; by the rem- 
nants, we suppose that originally there were strips of boards about three 
inches wide, nailed to the standards of the forms ; upon the edges of which 
the scholars might rest their feet; but many of them are among the things 
that were, and nobody knows when they made their exit; leaving their 
pendent feet with nothing to i-(\st upon. Deeply did we sympathize with 
the poor suflt'erers. i)arti('ularly some of the girls, as we saw them trying 
to relieve themselves fi-oni their torturing ])()sition l)y curling their feet 
under them, sitting like a Turk or a tailor, but with this ditference, the 
seat was so narrow that nothing short of long practice, and no little skill, 
could have enabled them to sit upon them in that position at all. How 
can parents expect children to love their school when they are compelled 
to sit in such hateful positions, " 

District No. 8 — The report of this school has but one bright spot, 
namely: "It is with pleasure we noticed there Avere three blackboards." 
But, alas, they learned later, as stated in a foot note, that these were the 
personal property of the teacher, Walter A. Davis. 

District No. 9 — ^"The Prudential Committee man, in this district, is 
certainly liable to an indictment : for we presume there is not a single man 
in that district who will say that the place in which they now hold their 
school is a suitable one. The schoolhouse (we must use the term, school- 
house, though it deserves not so high an appellation.) is 16 feet square 
outside, from the roof to the ground just 8 feet outside : it is clapboarded 



128 



outside, but in such a manner as to be but a slight barrier to the winds 
and wintry storms of snow and rain. There is no yard room at all but the 
street, no spot that the children can call their own ; not a tree or a shrub 
around the house, in fine, in this respect, it is like almost all our school- 
houses, not one cent seems to have been expended on or about it, to make 
it pleasing, and attractive to the children, around which their affections 
would cling as to a loving mother, but everything is repulsive." 

The school-room is about 14i/^ feet by lli/l>, and it is 7 feet and 3 
inches high, ceiled overhead and the sides with unpainted boards. Who 
can say that a room of such dimensions is a "suitable place" to confine 
from 20 to 30 children for six hours every day? No wood house, or other 
out building ; no ventilator ; no blinds or curtains ; no blackboard ; seats 
bad, and children's toes can't touch the floor. But they had a library, 
which evidently delighted the committee, for they add that "for this they 
deserve credit ; but this formfe the only bright oasis in this desert of 
neglect — all else is barren!" 




Courti'sy of New Bcdl'ord Mtrciiiy. 
A "LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE" 



When this printed arraignment of district school management in 
Fairhaven and Acushnet reached the people it created a tremendous 
furor. Some applavided the daring act of the town committee, declaring 
it was just and proper. Others were terribly indignant at the publicity 
given the disgraceful existing conditions. The Prudentials were especi- 



129 

ally indignant and assumed a threatening attitude toward the committee. 
Chairman Jones Robinson was their chief target. He would listen to them 
with that self assured, unmoved manner and significant smile some of us at 
this date recall. The caustic criticisms in the foregoing report resulted in 
somewhat improved conditions in school accommodations, but very little 
was accomplished, however, in this matter till Acushnet became a town- 
ship. 

It is evident from the report that the school property and accom- 
modations within present Fairhaven were in no better condition than those 
portrayed above. At that time a similar execrable state of school affairs 
existed everywhere in this commonwealth. Horace IMann, secretary of 
the Massachusetts Board of Education, wrote in 1837: "It is no uncom- 
mon thing to find a hundred children crowded into a room thirty feet 
square. The internal arrangement made crowding easy." As late as 
1840 he described the deplora])h' condition of the schoolhouses in this 
commonwealth as follows : 

"Respecting the three thousand school houses in this state I am 
convinced that there is no other class of buildings within our limits, 
erected either for the permanent or temporary residence of our native 
population, so inconvenient, so uncomfortal)le, so dangerous to health 
by their construction within, or so unsightly and repulsive. A popu- 
lar design for a schoolhouse a hundred years ago was to have the 
fireplace and only entrance door occupy one end of the room. In the 
middle of one side was the teacher's desk. Against the wall on three 
sides was a slightly sl()i)ing shelf, with a horizontal one below, and 
a bench without back in front: on the bench the older pupils sat. 
On the sloping shelf they wrote and laid their books when studying, 
on the one' below they kept their books, another lower bench in front 
served for a seat for "the younger pupils wlio did not write. Thus the 
school was arranged on three sides of a hollow square in the centre 
of which the classes stood for recitations. In another plan the seats 
were arranged in long rows across the school room, in terraces, the 
back seats only having desks in front. The older scholars thus over- 
looking the younger ones, the teacher having an elevated platform 
at the opposite end of the room." 

The duties of a graded school teacher of 1906 are arduous to a degree 
that none can realize who have never engaged in them. But far in excess 
of these were the perplexing, discouraging, nervewrecking labors of 
teachers of earlier times in schools composed of all grades, and ages 
unlimited by law or custom. 

From the memorandum kej^t by a young woman teacher of one of 
the public schools in the year 1841. it appears, that she had 25 pupils, five 
of whom were at the tender age of three years, while two were aged 18. 
and the rest were of various ages, indicating that she had all the different 
grades. The following year in the same district, she had 30 pupils, seven 
of whom were only four years old and three others oidy two. An effort 
was made the following year to have the age limit raised a year, but the 



130 

vote of 1840, "not to exclude children under four years of age," was left 
unchanged. 

Previous to this date most of the winter teachers were men. Some of 
them unable to teach much more than "Readin, Ritin and Rithmatic,'' 
but he must be a fighter. It was thought that few women knew enough 
to teach, besides, it was claimed they were physically incapable of 
''flogging the big boys," which was considered a necessary part of the 
''schoolin' " of many of the scholars. It was then the practice for the 
town school committee to examine each applicant for the position of 
teacher for which the sum of one dollar was allowed. The committee was 
paid a dollar apiece for each of the four business meetings per annum 
that were held. Each school was visited l)y one of the committee once 
a month and one dolhir per day was granted them for this work. 

Here are five of an interesting set of twenty disciplinary rules a 
teacher of this period drew ^^^ for tlie govci-uuicuf of his school wifh a 
self explanatory prelude : 

"The folloAving Rules and Regulations are for the purpose of support- 
ing that harmony which (in and out of School) may be conducive to 
literary improvement in its several branches which, if pursued, may enable 
us to become useful members of Society : 

1. Therefore it is concluded that no SchoUar idle away or waste 
more than 10 minutes about the School house in the morning after I get 
to it. 

2. That no one wait to be called into School the second time at any 
time in the course of the day, nor wait after being called to exceed 10 
minutes. 

3. That every Schollar that comes into School has the privilege of 
going to the stove to Avarm wifhout asking liberty if he or she goes before 
taking his or her seat. 

4. That after Schollars have taken fheir seats they do not leave 
them on any occasion without liberty. 

13. That no one indulge the habit of smiling or laughing in school 
except some thing should occur that would render it allowable." 

The other rules prohibit whispering; marking or cutting the school 
property; leaving school without liberty; thi"owing snow "at any other 
Schollar, or in the schoolhouse"; quarreling and fighting; taking part in 
a lottery or gambling; or writing letters or billets in school without per- 
mission. 

The writing of "billets" and love ditties and passing them about the 
school room was often indulged in without detection unless the teacher 
had "eyes in the back of his head" as some claimed to have. 

The school books were sold to the scholars at the wholesale price. 
Once in possession of them they felt at liberty to use and abuse them as 
they pleased. 



131 

The first thing a boy was apt to do after eoming into poss'ession of a 
new book was to write his name on one or more pages like this: "Jim 
Jenkins, his book." Sometimes the name was placed on the edges of the 
leaves. On a fly-leaf, or somewhere else, was written one of the following 
direful warnings : 

Steal not this l)ook for if yovi do 
Tom Jenkins will be after yon 
Steal not this book for fear of strife 
For the owner carries a big jack knife. 

Steal not this book my honest friend 
For fear the gallos will be your end, 
The gallos is high, the rope is strong, 
To steal this book yon know is wrong. 

This jingle appears in many school books of those days: "If my 
name yon wish to sec look on page 103." On page 103 is found this: 
"If my name yon cannot find look on page 109." The only satisfaction 
found on page lOD was the t'<)lh)wing: "If my name you cannot find 
shut u]) the book and never iiiind." 

The sentimental productions were voluminous and of various degrees 
of sweetness. The girls were usually poetic ; tlic boys less so. Here is a 
•specimen of these sentimcnt.-d ofTusions: 

"You give your heart to me and I'll give mine to thee ; 
We will lock them up together and throw awav the key. 

(She) "No siree." 

(Pie) "Oh, yes." 

"I shall always think of you as a dear friend, S." 
"All right, S., only don't tell anv one else about it. L. " 



The rose is red the violet is blue, 
Sugar is sweet and so are von." 



"^^-.^ 



At the date of the publications of this report, 1844, there were 296 
scholars enrolled in the public school, on which there was expended 
$1,109.54. In 1906, sixty-two years later, there was an enrollment of but 
211 pupils with an annual expenditure for the support of the schools, 
exclusive of repairs, of $4,932.61. In 1844 the schools cost per pupil $3.75, 
and in 1906 $23.33. not including repairs of schoolhouses. 

For years before the town of Fairhaven was divided there was more 
or less sectional dissension in the toAvn school committee, which was a 
contributing factor in the division of the town. So intensely bitter was 
the feeling at one time that the two Acushnet members issued a report and 
the three southehders, as they were called in distinction from the north- 
enders. printed another. The chief contention ai)])ears to luive Ix'cn that 
both committee men of Acushnet taught school. This practice was con- 
demned by the Fairhaven members. 



132 




, I'hcitu. l>y .las. K. Kt-oil, New Bedford 

TOWN HOUSE AM) LIBRARY 
Formerly School Hoii.sc No. 4 



When Acushnet became an independent coi-poration, after having 
been a part of three towns, it inherited the ohl sehoolhouses and the 
school conditions pictnred in the above report. At this date there was 
only one respectable schoolboiise in town. That was sitnated in the 
village, district No. 4, where there was no' honse when the above report 
was issued. There was a school there at times, supported in the same 
manner as the other schools in town. It was held part of the time 
previous to 1850 in the second story of the second house east of the 
bridge on the south side of the i-oad. Among thos(> wlio taught there were 
Jane Ann Severance, wli<> siihscMpiciitly iiuii-iicd .lireh (iifford and resided 
in the village, and Betsey, sister of George T. Russell, Sr. With the 
growth of the village came the need of larger accommodations which 
resulted in Fairhaven building a sehoolhouse which is now the Acushnet 
town house and librar\'. 

It was the purpose of the new town to at oiu-e improve these con- 
ditions but the "impending national crisis" was hanging over the land at 
the birth of the town and the Civil war opened a year later. The 
expense and excitement of the four years of .internal strife delayed the 
matter. The town incurred a large debt in ]iaying bounties for soldiers 
and aid for soldiers' families and the prevailing sentiment was to hire no 
more money till that debt was liquidated. 

The selectmen in their rejiort in the spring of 187-4 stated that the last 
note was paid, and the school committee's report urged a new school- 
house at Parting Ways to accommodate the consolidated schools of the 



133 



Wing, Packard and Village districts. This proposition met with favor 
and the construction of the schoolhouse was ordered at the town meeting 
of that spring. The selectmen, consisting of Benjamin White, Walter 
Spooner and Pardon Taber, Jr., together with the school committee 
composed of Edward R. Ashley, Bnrrage Y. Warner and George P. 
]\Iorse, were authorized t(» have charge of the enterprise. They bought 
an acre of land on wliich the present house stands of Thomas S. Hath- 
away for $275. This, with the expense of construction and furnishings, 
amounted to $4,211.88. The house was formallj'- dedicated in the autumn 
of 1874 when addresses were made by Rev. Messrs. W. B. Hammond and 
Charles E. Walker of the Congregational and Methodist churches respee- 
tivelv, and others. 




riioto. Iiv Jas. K. K.ccl. Niw I'.ciiroiil 

LONG. PLAIN SCHOOr. HOUSE 
Erected 1875 

A new schoolhouse was erected at Long Plain the following year, 
1875. An acre of land situated on the west side of the road about 200 
feet north of the Rochester road was bought for $200. The building, the 
construction of which was in charge of a ])uikling ccmimittee consisting of 
Samuel B. Hamlin, Levi Wing and James R. Allen, was about 25 x 26 feet, 
two stories, with a belfry in which was ])laee(l ;i hi'il purchased by contri- 
butions of tlie iieighl)()i-s. The total expense of the struetnre including 
the land, but not the bell which was $151. was $3,862.88. Abner J. 
Phipps, agent of the state boai'd of education, made the dedicatory address 

Nov. 25, 1875. 

Whelden district secured a favor the next year, 1876. when t he build- 



134 



ing was enlarged and remodeled and put in fine condition at an outlay of 
$737.86. 

The people at Perry Hill were no losers by patient waiting and the 
succeeding year, 1877, a commodious house was erected at the southwest 
corner of Perry Hill and Mandell roads, costing a total of $1,277.86. 
Benjamin Robinson and Samuel B. Hamlin were the building committee. 

This equipped the town with a set of good buildings and accomplished 
consolidation of districts which was of great advantage. The districts 
were then as follows: No. 1, Bisbee ; No. 2, Whelden, including from 
County road; No. 3, Long Plain, including Hammett ; No. 4, Perry Hill; 
No. 5, Parting Ways, including Acushnet village, Packard and Wing 
districts. 




Photo, by A. H. MacCreary, Phila. 

SCHOOLHOUSE AT PARTING WAYS 

Elected in 1903 

These houses were all that were necessary till 1903 when the one at 
Parting Ways was insufficient for the rapidl}^ growing needs of that com- 
munity. The town at its March meeting of that year appointed a com- 
mittee consisting of Franklyn Howland, William C. Ashley, Henry F. 
Taber, James B. Hamlin. Samuel Wing and Moses S. Douglass, to provide 
enlarged accommodations. The matter was wrestled with but remained 
unsettled several months. 

The following entry in the town records of the action taken at a 

special town meeting held July 14, 1903, shows brief!}'- how it was finally 

disposed of. 

"Voted that the school building committee be instructed to build 
an addition to the schoolhouse at Parting Ways as per sketch pre- 
sented by Franklyn Howland." 



135 

.1 
Every vote cast was in favor of the motion. The former house was 

a two story, two room ])uildiug, with front end to the west, and the north- 
east corner about Avhere the northwest corner of the present one is. The 
okl buikling is the south half of the new one. The town expended on this 
$5,775.12. This was insufficient to rejuvenate the old part which was sadly 
in need of it. At this juncture, Henry H. Rogers, a native of Fairhaven, 
thoughtfully and generously came to the financial relief of this offspring 
of the town of his birth with a contribution of $5,000 to complete the 
work commenced on house and grounds. Land was purchased at the east 
of the house for a playground, and at the west of the house to extend the 
old lot its entire width to Fairhaven road for a lawn. This southeast 
corner of the ancient Parting-of-the-ways is at present one of the neatest, 
most attractive and i)i('tnr('S(|iu' spots witliin the boundaries of Old 
Dartmouth. 

Referring to this work the superint(Mid(Mit of schools stated in his 
report the following yo;\v that an 

"Educational revival began when the town decided to build this 
new schoolhouse to replace an overcrowded and nnich worn building 
where work had been done under hampered and disagreeable condi- 
tions." 

In 1906 only thre(> of the schoolhouses in town were occupied for 
school purposes, namely : Parting Ways; Perry Hill and Long Plain. In 
these were graded schools, and pupils residing at the north end and west 
side of the town were conveyed to and from their homes to these houses 
in a barge provided by the town. 

The schools have been under the supervision of a superintendent 
employed conjointly by the towns of Fairhaven, Acushnet and Matta- 
poisett since March. 1897. when E. B. Gray was chosen to the position. He 
resigned in 1901 and was succeeded by Frank M. :\rarsh who has been the 
superintendent till the present time. 

ACUSHNET HIGH All towns in the Commonwealth having less 

SCHOOL PRIVILEGES than five hundred families and not over an 

assessed valuation of $750,000, are not required 
to maintain a high school. The tuition of the children of such towns as 
desire to pursue a high school course is paid by the state to the town or 
city where the pupil attends such a school. This town is in the list of 
exempted. Acushnet is fortunately favored even beyond this. In the 
adjoining town of Fairhaven, Henry H. Rogers, a native of that town, has 
erected a magnificent High School building and equipped it with every 
conceivable convenience and necessity of the finest quality for teaching 
and learning and comfort. To this beautiful temple of knowledge by his 
thoughtful generosity he has given the boys and girls of this town who 



136 

desire a high school course, a cordial welcome. This is an inestimable 
privilege to the sons and daughters of Acushnet. Not only is such a 
school of immense advantage to those w^ho attend it, Init it is an incentive 
for grammar scholars to strive to merit enrollment among its students. 

The building, which is of Elizabethan style, is admirably located on 
the north side of Huttlestone avenue, overlooking the park which is 
being constructed, and at the entrance to the attractive new mile-long 
bridge which connects Fairhaven with New Bedford. The lot on which 
it is built is at the corner of this avenue and Main street. It is raised 
about six feet above the sidewalk and the building stands seventy-five feet 




HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING AT FAIRHAVEN, MASS. 



back from it. From the third story windows is an elegant view of the 
river, the village, the city across the stream and the surrounding country. 
Directly across Main street stands the deserted old High School house ol 
precious memory to many who were students there. Mr; Rogers was 
graduated there fifty years ago in the first class that Avent out from it, and 
he is now president of the Fairhaven High School Association. 

The new building was opened for school purposes in the autumn of 
1906 and the membership roll at that time contained the following names 



137 

of students from Aciishuet and the granimar school they were graduated 
from : 

Class A. 

Heury Dillingham Pierce, Parting Ways. 
Class B. 

Marion Alberta Dillingham, Parting AVays. 

Clara Grace Elizabeth Welden, Parting Ways. 
Class C. 

Clifford Ilowland Ashley, Long Plain. 

Walter Kounseville Spooner, Parting Ways. 
Class D. 

Helen Louise Ashley. Long Plain. 

Valetta Eugenia Rumpus, Parting Ways. 

Albert Seabury Crandon. Long Plain. 

Reuben ]Mason. Long I'lain. 

Eliot Ashley Spooner, Parting Ways. 

Mary Catherine Sylvia. Parting Ways. 

Alton Mayo Tripp, Parting Ways. 

Chester Ward, Parting Ways. " 

Willard Denny Ward. PaiiinL;- W;iys. 

PUBLIC Here is a list of men and women who taught 

SCHOOL TEACHERS in the ]>nbli(' schools of this town in the year 

stated Ix'fore each grou|). Oni' secular teachers 
have a proiuincnl place in oui; memories. The\' hold a responsihh* position 
as they are one ol' the strongest factoi's in the connnunity in character 
building and intellectual development. Tlieii- time and work as teachers 
are devoted to the making of history. 'I'lie pui-pose and labors ol' these 
teachei's merit the iiernet ii;ition_ of llieii- names on the pages of this 
volume. 

1857-58. 

Davis, Walter A.: Doty. Perez S. ; Eldridge, Martin \j.: Francis, 
George W. ; Kempton, Elizabeth G. ; Manter, Lucy A.; Mendall, Charlotte 
E. ; Marsh, Fannie E.; ]\Iorse, Lydia W. ; Purrington. Eliza J.; Robinson, 
Jones; Rounseville. Cornelia; Russell, George T. Jr.; Wilson, E. E. ; 
Wilson, P. C. ; Wood, Jabez". 

1859-60. 

Clark. B. C. : Davis, Walter A.; Ellis, Emeline P.; Hall. Eugenia; 
Manter, Lucy A. ; Macomber, Charles H. ; Meech, Lucy A. ; Nelson. Thomas 
H. ; Tinkham, Phoebe H. ; Stackpole, J. M. : White. Mary J.; Wilson. 
Sarah F. ; Wilson. Pauline C. ; Wood, Jabez. 

1860-61. 

Bisbee, Augustine W. ; Cobb, Wendell II. ; Davis, Walter A. ; GriuneU. 



138 

Sarah E. ; Hall, Eugenia; Keene, Sarah A.; Roimseville, Philena W. ; 
Tinkham, Phoebe H. ; White, Mary J.; Wilson, Paulina C. ; Wilson 
Sarah F. ; Wing, Mary. 
1861-62. 

Alden, Charles F. ; Cobb, Wendell H. ; Davis, Walter A.; Dudley. 
Sandford H. ; Grinnell, Sarah E. ; Harvey, Augusta A. C. ; Haswell, Amoi 
K. ; Keene, Sarah A. ; Lincoln, Cornelia ; Mendall, Mary S. ; Omey, Laura 
A. ; Taber, Asenath P. ; Tinkham, Phoebe H. ; Webb, Anna ; White, Mary 
J. ; Wilson, Sarah F. ; Wood, Jabez. 
.1862-63. 

Alden, Charles F. ; Dudley, Sandford H. ; Harvey, Augusta A. C. ; 
Haswell, Sarah J. ; Morse, Edward W. ; Omey, Laura A. ; Russell, George 
T. Jr. ; Rich, Mary E. ; Tinkham, Phoebe H. ; Webb, Anna ; White, Mary 
J. ; Wilson, Paulina C. ; Wilson, Sarah F. ; Wing, Mary J. 

1863-64. 

Ashley, Hope L. ; Ashley, Lucy A. ; Brownell, Fanny C. ; Cobb, Lucia 
D. ; Davis, Walter A- ; Grinnell, Sarah E. ; Harvey, Augusta A. C. ; Harlow. 
Ann M. ; Keene, Sarah A. ; Lawrence, William P. A. ; Omey, Laura A. ; 
Mendall, Mary S. ; White, Mary J. ; Wing, Mary J. 

1861-65. 

Ashley, Hope L. ; Ashley, Mary A.; Brownell, Fanny C. ; Brownell. 
Myra S. ; Cook, Ella S. ; Ellis, Martha M. ; Gifford, Abbie W. ; Grinnell. 
Sarah E. ; Haswell, Sarah J. ; Horton, Sophia W. ; Keene, Sarah A. ; Wing, 
Mary J. ; Wood, S. Fannie. 

1865-66. 

Ashley, Hope L. ; Ashley, Lucy A. ; Brownell, Fanny C. ; Brownell. 
Myra S. ; Grinnell, Sarah E. ; Haswell, Sarah J. ; Harvey Augusta A. C. ; 
Hinckley, Mary R. ; Horton, Georgianna ; Horton, Sophia W. ; Pease, 
Hattie ; Wing, Mary J. ; Wood, S. Fannie ; White, Angeline ]\I. ; Wilbur, 
Benjamin ; Wilbur, Sarah E. ; Wilson, Paulina. 

1866-67. 

Davis, Walter A. ; Eldridge, Martin L. ; Gammons, Rebecca ; Gill, 
Watson ; Hall, Eugenia ; Manter, Lucy A. ; Marsh, Annie E. ; Morse, Lydia 
A.; Robinson, Jones; Weeden, William A.; Wilson, E. E. 

1866-67. 

Grinnell, Sarah E. ; Hinckley, jMary R. ; Haswell, Sarah J. ; Horton, 
Georgianna ; Horton, Sophia ; Parker. Clara P. ; Rounseville. Myra S. ; 
Russell, Charles L. ; Sears, Hannah; Snow, Ann 11.; Tinkham, Adelaide; 
Wing, Mary J. 

1867-68. 

Braley, Mrs. Sarah J. ; Cole, Hannah : Ellis, Martha C. ; Keene, 
Amelia F. ; Lawrence, Addie ; Morton. Mary E. ; Parker, Clara C. ; Russell, 
Charles L. ; Snow, Ann H. ; White, Angle M. ; White, Martha W. ; Wing, 
Mary J. 



139 

1868-69. 

Braley, Sarah J.; Clark, Rebecca F. ; Durfee, Susan ; Ellis, IMartha 
F. ; Lawrence, Addie ; Robinson, Lydia I*. ; Ricketson, Addie ; Rounseville, 
Cornelia P. ; Russell, Charles L. ; Snow, Ann H. ; Tinkham, Addie W. ; 
White, Angie M. ; White, Martha W\ ; Wilson, Paulina C. 

1869-70. 

Brale}^ Sarah J. ; Burt, Phoebe E. ; Clai)p. Ilattie S. ; Parker, S. T. ; 
Russell, George T. Jr. ; Russell, Chark^s L. : Snow. Ann M. ; 
White, Martha W. 

1870-71. 

Allen, J. C. ; Davis, Heppie ; Clapp, Ilattie S. ; Cobb, Lucia M. ; Elliot, 
Eliza F. ; Gerrish, Phebe'A. ; Robinson, Lydia P.; Rounseville, Myra S. ; 
Russell, Charles L. ; Sandford, Carrie S. ; Snow, Mary E. ; Taber, Walter ; 
White, Martha W. 

1871-72. 

Akin, Myra F. ; Akin, Ellen H. ; Gerrish, Phebe A. ; Gifford, Annie W. ; 
Kane, Amelia F. ^ Russell, Charles L. ; Record, Charles ; Rounseville, IMyra 
S. ; Stephens, Sylvia H. ; Snow, Ann H. ; Sisson, Clara E. 

1872-73. 

Gifford, Annie W. ; Keene, Amelia F. ; Omey, Ida A. ; Parker, Hattie 
B. ; Parker, Sarah T. ; Russell, Charles L. ; Snow, Ann M. ; Stephens, Sylvia 
H. ; White, Jane A. ; White, Martha A. 

1873-74. 

Atwood, Lizzie ; Lawrence, Eudora ; Omey, Ida A. ; Rounseville, Myra 
S. : Russell, Charles L. ; Snow, Ann II. ; Stephens, Sylvia II. ; Snow, Sarah 
L. ; AVhite, Lydia A. ; White, Martha W. 

1874-75. 

Drake, Bradford W. ; Ellis, Lucy H. W. ; Keene, Amelia F. ; Lawrence, 
Eudora ; Loomis, F. A. ; Omey, Ida A. ; Russell, Charles L. ; Snow, Ann H. ; 
Snow, Gulie H. ; Snow, Sarah L. ; White, Martha W. 

1875-76. 

Gammons, D. H. ; Hicks, Lillie II. ; Omey, Ida A. ; Russell, Charles L. ; 
Slade, Caleb ; Snow, Ann M. ; Snow, Sarah L. ; White, Martha W. ; Wing, 
Clara T^ 

1876-77. 

Baker, T. ; Herrick, Emily J. ; Howard, Mary S. ; Lovering, Helen 
M.>; Macomber, George A.; Metcalf, Clara J.; Omey, Ida A.; Rodman, W. 
A.; Russell, Charles L. ; Snow, Ann M. ; Wing, Clara T. ; Wright, Mary 
B. A. 

1877-78. 

Bancroft, Cornelia : Donaghy, Mattie : Cole, Henry M. ; Doull, Eliza 
L. ; Howard, Mary S. ; Lovering, Helen M. ; Russell, George T. Jr. ; Russell, 
Charles L. ; Springer, Clara B. ; Wright, Mary B. A. ; Snow, Ann H. 



140 

1878-79. 

Cole, Henry M. ; Delano, Emily A. ; Hiller, Lizzetta ; Howard, Mar> 
S. ; Leonard, Mary M. ; Macy, Mary M. ; Russell, George T. Jr. ; Spear, 
Carrie F. ; Springer, Clara B. 

1879-80. 

Chace, Minnie E. ; Delano, Emily A. ; Keene, Amelia F. ; Morse, George 
H. ; Howard, Mary S. ; Humphrey, Chester W. ; Leonard, Mary M. ; Russell, 
George T. Jr. 

1880-81. 

Alden, Clara B. ; Delano, Emily A. ; Greenough, Clarence L. ; Howard, 
Mary S. ; Humphrey, Chester W. ; Keene, Amelia F. ; Morse, George H. ; 
Russell, George T. Jr.; White, Annie M. 

1881-82. 

Alden, Clara B. ; Cook, John T. ; Greenough, Clarence L. ; Howard, 
Mary S. ; Keene, Amelia ; Morse, George H. ; Nash, Louis P. ; Taber, Carrie 
I. ; Wetherby, Mabel R. ; White, Annie M. 

1882-83. 

Beal, Ida W. ; Carpenter, Anna M. ; Clark, Annie M. ; Davis, Mira K. ; 
Fuller, Lillian A. ; Howard, Mary S. ; Jennings, Hattie M. : Lashures, 
Charles E. ; Pettey, Mary L. ; Russell, Lucy A. ; Tisdale, Mary A. ; White, 
Annie M. 

1883-81. 

Howard, Mary S. ; Jennings, Hattie M. ; Pettey, Mary L. ; Richardson, 
Emma S. ; Taber, Bessie E. ; Tisdale, Mary A. ; White, Mattie W. 

1884-85. 

Church, Cornelia R. ; Haney, Mary E. : Howard, ]\Iary S. : Jennings, 
Hattie M. ; Oakman, Carrie F. : Richardson, Emma S. ; White, Hattie M. ; 
White, Annie M. 

1885-86. 

Church, Cornelia R. ; Haney, Mary E. : Holt, Lottie L. ; Howard, Mary 
S. ; Richardson, Emma S. ; Warren, Hattie O. 

1886-87. 

Alden, Eudora F. ; Bullard, Susan A. ; Case, Eva G. ; Church, Cornelia 
R. : Haney, Mary. E. ; Howard, Mary S. ; Pratt, Abbie H. ; Palmer, Jennie 
F. 

1887-88. 

Alden, Eudora F. ; Ashley, Lucy 1).; Bennett, Elizabeth; Brown. 
George B. ; Case, Eva G. ; (Uuirch, Cornelia R. ; Howard. Mary S. ; Packard, 
Lizzie J. ; Pratt, Ab})ie H. ; Richardson, Emma S. 

1888-89. 

Ashley, EdM^ard W. ; Ashley, Lucy D. ; Brightman, Helen A.; Brown. 
George B. ; Church, Cornelia R. ; Dudley, A. F. ; Howard, ^Mary S. ; Kings- 
bury, 0. E. ; Peekham, ]\Iyrtie E. ; Taber, Bessie E. ; White, I\Iartha W. 



141 

1889-90. 

Ashley, p](lward W. ; Brightman, A. ;Cliiircli, Cornelia R. ; IIoAvarcI 
Mary S. ; Kingsbury. O. E. ; Leonard, Ida M. ; Spooner, Amy J.; Taber. 
Bessie E. : Warren. Ilattie 0.; White. Hattie W. 

1890-91. 

Ashley. E. W. ; Braley, Sarah J.; Brightman, Helen A.; Chureh, 
Corm^lia R. : Dinwoodie, IMargaret L. : Howard. ]\Iary S. ; Leonard. Ida F. : 
Peekhaiii. .Myrtie E. ; Taber. Bessie E. ; Warren, Hattie 0.; Wilbur, Her 
bert R. ; Warner, Mary L. 

1891-92. 

Braley, Sarah J. ; Brightman, Helen A. ; Church, Cornelia R. ; Howard, 
Miiry S. ; Leonard. Ida F. ; Peckham, Myrtie E. ; Spooner, Amy J. ; Wilbur, 
Herbert R. 

1892-98. 

Brightman, Helen A.; Braley, Sarah J.; Church, Cornelia R. ; Cowen. 
Jennie M. ; Howard, ]\Iary S. ; Leonard, Ida F. : Spooner, Amy J. 

1898-94. 

P)i'al('\'. Sarah .1.; Chnfcli. Cornelia K. ; Cowen, Jennie i\r. ; Davis, 
Anna E. ; llowai-d, Mary S. ; Lcoiuii'd. Ida F. : Sjiooner. Amy .].; Wilson, 
Ella F. 

1894-95. 

Braley, Sarah J.; Chiircli. Cornelia R. ; Cowen, Jennie i\I.; Davis, 
Anna E. ; Howard, Mary S. ; Kelley, Eveline F. ; Slade, Agnes J. ; Wilson, 
Ella F. • 

1895-96. 

Braley, Sarah •!.; Chureh. C'ornelia R. ; Cowen, Jennie M. ; Davis 
Anna E. ; Hanson, Wayne; Howard. Mary S. ; Ilowland, Susan (J.; Kelley, 
Eveline F. ; Robertson, .1. B. ; Rogers, M. E. ; Walker, Susie H. 

LS!)(i-97. 

Bradford. Mcl\-in (). : Cowni. -Iciinic ^I. : Davis. Anna E. ; Howard, 
]\lary S. ; Martin, Orin C. : Ixolx'rtson. .1. 15.; Kogers. M. E. ; Walker, Susie 
H. ; Veazie, Albert F. 

1897-98. 

Bradford, ^lelvin (). ; Cai-y, ^lary E. ; Chase, Hattie L. ; Cowen, Jennie 
M. ; Davis, Anna E. ; Ililler, Lydia R. ; Howard, Mary S. ; Robertson, J, B. ; 
Swift, Edna T. ; Tebbetts, Ella J. 

1898-99. 

Alden, Jane; Bryant, Alice V.; Cary, Mary E. ; Chase, Ilattie L. ; 
Hiller, Lydia R. ; Howard, ]\Iary S. ; Lamphear, Rose D. ; Pierce, Clymeua 
M. ; Robertson, J. B. ; Swift, Edna F. 

1899-1900. 

Bryant. Alice V. ; Cary, ]Mary E. ; Deming, Grace ; Fisher, Ruth D. ; 
Haskins, Elizabeth A. ; Hiller, Lydia R. ; Howard, Mary S. ; Lamphear. 
Rose D. ; Walker, Gertrude. 



142 

1900-01. 

Fisher, Ruth D. ; Greenough, Flora M. ; Greenlief, Celia S. ; Harden, 
Annie F. ; Haskins, Elizabeth A. ; Hiller, Lydia K. ; Howard, Mary S. ; 
Poland, Etta 0.; Rollins, Lottie M. ; Rose, Winifred; Walker, Gertrude; 
Young,* Frances E. 

1901-02. 

Ballard, Mrs. M. ; Baker, Minnie M. ; Blight, Jean S. ; Daniels, Celia 
L. ; Dunham, Bessie R. ; Fisher, Elizabeth E. ; Greenlief , Celia S. ; Harden, 
Annie F. ; Hiller, Lydia R. ; Howard, Mary S. ; Howard, Sarah E. ; How- 
land, Hester G. ; Merritt, Eva M. ; Means, Hattie E. ; Rollins, Lottie M. ; 
Rose, Winifred. 

1902-03. 

Baker, Minnie M. ; Daniels, Celia L. ; Dunham, Bessie R. ; Ekman, 
Anna S. ; Fisher, Elizabeth E. ; Howard, Mary S. ; Howard, Sarah E. ; 
Howland, Hester G. ; Johnson, Elizabeth G. ; Means, Harriet E. ; Simpson, 
Etta L. 

1903-04. 

Dunham, Bessie R. ; Ekman, Emma S. ; Gibbs, Gertrude E. ; Howard, 
Mary S. ; Howard, Sarah E. ; Johnson, Elizabeth G. ; Lilley, Alice ; Means. 
Hattie E. ; Norris, Mary E. ; Simpson, Etta L. ; Smith, Ethel F. 

1904-05. 

Crosby, Vashti M. ; Dunham, Bessie R. ; Fothergill, Ethel R. ; Gibbs, 
Gertrude E. ; Hamblin, Bertha L. ; Howard, Mary S. ; Howard, Sarah E. : 
Johnson, Elizabeth G. ; Kelsey, Laura C. ; Lilley, Alice; Longley, Emma 
F. : Smith, Ethel F. 

This brings the list down to 1904. Previous to this date a large pro- 
portion of the teachers were natives of this town. Since the above date 
most of the teachers have been procured from out of town. Notable 
exceptions to this, however, are Lydia R. Hiller, who continued at the 
Parting Ways school till 1902, and Mary E. Howard, who has taught 
till the present time. The latter has the record of teaching more years 
in Acushnet than any other person. 



STATE Our little town is the birthplace of men who have attained 

OFFICIALS honorable positions as executive and legislative officials. 
All except the first two officials named below served in the 
Couueil and Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Governor. 

Benjamin F. White. Governor of the territory of Montana. 

Lieutenant Governor. 
Paul Spooner, Lieutenant Governor of Vermont from 1782 to 1787. 



143 



United States Congressman. 
Paul Spooner, meinbei- of the Federal Congress from Vermont in 

1781-82. 

Presidential Elector. 

Walter Si)o<)nei-, Presidential Klcctoi- in 17 — !)2 and 1800. 

State Senators. 

Walter Spooner, 171)2: Joslnia Moisc. 1S77: Franklyn Ilowland, 1888. 

State Representatives. 

Previous to the division of Old Dartmouth, in 1787, that town was 
represented in the General Court of this state bj- four citizens of the 
Aeushnet section, namelv : 

1699— James Samson. 1711— James Samson. 

1710 — lolin Spooner. 1732— Henry Samson. 

1771 Klish.-i 'i'ohey. 

The followitiL: persons were llie oidy representatives of New Bedford 

town before its division in 1812. A good (h'al of historic interest centres 

here, is Ihe rea.son why ;dl Ihe names are given and where the men 

i-esided. They were all eleeled in the month of ^May : 

1787 — Seth Pope of Aeushnet. 

1788 — W^alter Spooner of Aeusii- 
net. 

1789— Walter Spooner of Aeush- 
net. 

1790 — Walter Spooner of Aeush- 
net. 

1791 — Waltei- Spooner of Aeush- 
net. 

1792 — Spoonel- was electc(| to the 
senate and t lu' town did not 
choose any representative. 

1793 — Seth Spooner of Acushiu4. 

1794 — Seth Spooner of Aeushnet. 

1795 — Seth Spooner of Aeushnet. 

1796 — Seth Spooner of Aeushnet. 

1797 — Seth Spooner of Aeushnet. 

1798 — Seth Spooner of Aeushnet 

1799 — Seth Spooner of Aeushnet. 

1800 — Seth Spooner of Aeushnet. 

1801 — Seth and Alden Spooner 
of Aeushnet. 

1802— Alden Spooner of Aeushnet. 

1803 — Benjamin Church of Fair- 
haven. 

1804 — Seth Si)ooner* of Aeushnet 



1805 — Seth Spooner of Aeushnet. 

1806 — Lenuu'l Williams of New 
Bedford, Alden Spooner of 
Aeushnet. Seth Spooner of 
Aeushnet, Samuel Perry of 
New Bedford. 

1807 — John Ilawes of Aeushnet. 

1808 — Seth Spooner of Aeushnet. 
Alden Spooner of Aeushnet, 
Samuel P(MTy of New Bed- 
ford, Charles Russell of 
New Bedford. 

1809— Seth Spooner of Aeushnet, 
Alden Spooner of Aeush- 
net, Samuel Perry of New 
Bedford, Thomas Nye, Jr., 
of Fairhaven, Charles Rus- 
sell of New Bedford. 

1810-11— Seth Spooner of Aeush- 
net, Samuel Perry of New 
Bedford, William Willis of 
New Bedford, Gamaliel 
Bryant of New Bedford, 
Jireh Swift, Jr., of Aeush- 
net Village, Jonathan Pope 
of Aeushnet. 



144 

It is interesting to observe from the al)ove list the lead which Aeiish- 
net took over the New Bedford and Fairhaven sections in the representa- 
tives furnished during the time when this town was. a portion of the 
township of New Bedford, from 1787 to 1812. a period of twenty-five 
years. Acushnet furnished all the representatives from 1787 to 1806, 
inclusive, except Benjamin Church, of the Fairhaven section. 

Furthermore, one of the representatives of each of the other five 
years was a citizen of Acushnet. During these twenty-five years Walter 
and his sons, Seth" and Alden Spooner of Acushnet, were in the Legislature 
twenty terms ; Walter five, Seth ten and Alden five. This is a remarkable 
record for a family and a town. It is safe to assume that it excels that 
of any other township and family in the United States. 

Acushnet furnished the following representatives while it was a part 
of Fairhaven, from 1812 to 1860 : 

Hawes, John, 1812-13-11. Clark, Cyrus E., 1834-37-40-42. 

Davis, Nicholas, Jr., 1812-13-14. Davis, Daniel, 1838. 

Taber, James, 1820-23-25-26-27-28. Robinson, Jones, 1843-44. 

Whelden, Joseph, 1823-25-31-32. Mendall, Ellis. Jr., 1845. 

Spooner, Nathaniel S., 1828. Mendall, George, 1846-47-48-49-50. 

Nye, Gideon, 1828-29-33-35-38-41. Eldridge, Martin L., 1858-59. 

The following citizens of this town were elected in the autumn of the 
years stated to represent in the General Court the district of which 
Acushnet was a part. 

1862-63— William H. Washburn. 1888— Noah F. Mendall. 

1869-70— Walter Spooner. ' 1892— Moses S. Dauglass. 

1875— Benjamin White. 1896— Edward R. Ashley. 

1879— Joseph Burt. Jr. 1903— Eb^n F. Leonard. 

1883— George P. Morse. 1906— Henry F. Taber. 

Acushnet is in the representative district with Fairhaven and Dart- 
mouth and by the rule is entitled to a representative for one term oiice 
in three years. 

A VALUABLE There stands in Fairhaven village one of 

PUBLIC LIBRARY FAVOR the richest and most elaborate library 

buildings in the United States. The 
corner stone was hiid Sept. 21, 1891. and the dedicatory services were 
Jan. 30, 1893. In contains a fine collection of l)()oks, now nnmbering over 
16,000 volumes. This was erected ns a memorial to Millicent (Jifi^ord 
Rogers by her father, Henry H. Rogers. He has not only amply endowed 
the enterprise for perpetual support, but has generously provided that 
the trustees shall extend its jirivileges free to all neighboring communities. 



n 

V. 

H 



CO 
> 






(/I 




146 



THE TOWN The Free Public Library of Aciishnet was opened for 

FREE LIBRARY business June 13, 1896. The town received one hun- 
dred dollars from the State to be expended for books 
and at the yearly Town meeting a small sum was appropriated for library 
I)urposes. This amount was increased by the town until in 1902, and each 

year since, $150 Perry Hill. Miss 

has been the ■^^■■JH^^^^^IH has 

The ^^^HPB^^^^I^^H been the 
first ^^^^^^^^^^V^^^ll '*t Acushnet, with 

chosen were Cap- ^^^F ^^^^| ^^^^ exception of a 

tain George J. ^^V ,.^^ ^^B ^^"^^ months, Mrs. 

Parker, chairman; ^^^^^^U/HKk^- ^| George A. Fuller, 
Mrs. Anna H. ^^B^'^^JIBtafi'^ I continuously at 
Bradford, treas- ^^^ ' » ^^^V J Perry Hill, and 

urer; Miss Emily ^^^k^|^^P^^^p ^|j| Miss Florence 
A. Brownell. ^^^K ''^H^^Bm. 4fl| ^^^"^^^ ^^ Long 

^^HL^^^^^r^^^H the fall 

Soon after ^^^H^^^^ ^^tttM <^^ ^^^^^ ^^'^^^^ ^^^^• 

brary was ^^B^^KK^^^^^^K^ Veasey 

^^^^^^^^H^^^^^H the 

at Long ^^^^^H ^^^^^^^^1 

Plain, 1^^^^ .^^^^^^^1 Friends interest- 

another branch at ed in the library 

GEORGE J. PARKER 





EMILY A. BROWNELL 



ANNA H. BRADFORD 



FIRST TRUSTEES OF THE ACUSHNET LIBRARY 



I'liotos. by Jaiiies E. Reed, New Bedford 



147 



have each year donated books and magazines, and for several j-ears, many 
partly worn volumes have been contributed by the Millicent library at 
Falrhaven, ]\lass. There is now a well patronized reading room in con- 
nection with the library, which is liberally supplied with popular and 
useful periodicals. 

Mrs. Bradford was succeeded as trustee .Mareli 7, 1904, by Mrs. 
Clement Swift, who with Captain Parker and Miss Brownell, are serving 
in that capacity at the present time. 

THOMAS HERSOM & CO.'S The factory where the popular brands of 
SOAP FACTORY soap widely known as ''Sapone," "Her- 

som's Best" and many others are made, 
is situated in Aciislniet N'illa^e. It is not located in this town but its 
l)roprietors, Thomas Ilersoiii. Sr.. and his son, Thomas Hersom, Jr., are 
and have l)een lor iiian\ Ncai's identified in nuiny ways with the interests 




Photo, by James E. Rofil, New Bedford 



HERSOM'S SOAP FACTORY 



of the town. The seniiu- pai-tner is an old hand at the business of manu- 
facturing soap, having lieen engaged in the business continuously from 
1875 in New Be('for(l lu'ar the Fairhaven l)ridge. till he purchased this 
plant. The faetory l)uil(iing was erected ami owned by Simeon Ilawes. 
It originally stood on the Mill road, nearly opposite the Old Tobey house, 
and was used for an ice house, i.ater it was moved to its present location 
and so constructed that the lower floor was used for stores and the upper 
story was the Avell known "Hawes' Hall." Subsecpiently it came into 
the possession of and was used by the Acushnet Paper company. 

Mr. Hersom bought the property in 1889 and at once commenced 
making soap there, and later the grinding of bone for fertilizing purposes. 
The building which iu)w stands on the west side of County road, just 



148 

above Lund's corner, is 14x65 feet, with a building for grinding bone 
attached. A Morse Automatic elevator passes through the factory from 
ground to attic, opening and closing hatchwaj^s as it moves up and down. 

Mr. Hersom's teams gather bones, meat and tallow from the city 
markets and stores daily, in the warm weather, and three times a week 
in the winter. This material is at once rendered and the product is all 
used in the factory. The resin stock comes in car loads direct from 
the forests of North Carolina; the caustic soda used is imported. 

More than one hundred and twenty-five tons of material per annum 
is left in the rendering tanks after the grease has been removed. About 
30 per cent, of this is meat, pieces of bone, etc., which is known as tankage, 
and the balance is bones from the meat. This is prepared for land 
fertilizers by grinding to a powder in a powerful Holmes & Blanchard 
mill. The machinery of the factory is propelled by a ten and a twenty 
horse power engine. Twenty hands are employed in and about the works. 

TOWN No history of a town is complete that does not contain a sketch 
HOUSES of the places where its voters have met annually to choose its 
officers and make the laws for its government. It appears 
that old Dartmouth had no town house for this purpose till more than 
fifty years after its incorporation. During this half century it is evident 
that the voters assembled in private dwelling houses to transact the town 
business. The meeting of Dec. 21, 1694, was at the house of John Russell, 
Jr., situated on what is now Rockland street, at Padanaram. Mr. Russell 
died "ye 20th day of I\Iarch in y^ year 1695-6", and it is recorded thai 
from 1696 till 1699. inclusive, these gatherings were held at the residence 
of his widow, excepting one at the house of Return Babcock at Smith 
lyiills. 

A voter living in the north part of Acushnet who wished to attend 
a town meeting was under the necessity of taking a horse-back ride of 
fifteen miles each way to and from ISlr. Russell's house. And about the 
same distance had to be traveled from other extreme corners of the town. 
The town was about fifteen miles square and Mr. Russell's house was 
within three miles of the south line. The injustice of a meeting place 
there, and the need of a town house were continually agitated till at the 
meeting of July 26, 1686, the following order for the erection of a house 
was adopted: 

"It is ordered that there shall be a meting house built this yeare 
for the Towns use the dementions thereof to be as followeth : 24 foot 
long: 16 foot wide: 9 foot stud and to be covered with long shingles 
and to be inclosed with planks and cla])ords and to have an under 
floor layed and to be benched round and to have a table to it suitable 
to the langth of sd hous. Allso four two light windows allso the 
Town have chosen Seth Pope and Thomas Taber to agree with a 
workman to build sd hous." 



149 

There is no record evidence that a location for this house had been 
aoreed upon ; that a lot had been purchased for the purpose, or that a 
town house was built till thirty years later. The delay may have been 
occasioned by a failure to agree upon a site. The people in the south 
part of the town were satisfied with Padanaram but inhabitants of other 
sections of the territory insisted on a more central and accessible spot. 
This was naturally at or near Smitli ]\lills, which w^as on the traveled 
Indian trail from Plymouth through Acushnet village westward through 
Smith Mills to Rhode Island, the home of Massasoit, and was known then 
and ever since as the Rhode Island Way. This sentiment finally i)re- 
vailed and the town voted to l)uy a lot which was located on the Rhode 
Island Way. now Hathaway road, about a half mile northeastward from 
Smith :\Iills village and near the head of Sloeum road. The town records 
contain a description of this lot. It Avas not laid out, however, till 1714, 
twenty-eight years after the above uniquely worded plans were adopted 
in town meeting and fifty years after the incorporation of the township. 
The argument in favor of a central location was soon confirmed by 
the increase in attendance at the meetings. That the accommodations 
were soon outgrown is indicalcd by a vote at the meeting of March 26, 
1739, that there shall be a 

"Town house built and to be thirty foot square, and ten foot be- 
tween joints and shall stand on the lot that the old Town house 
now stands on." 

This vote was amended at a meeting in the town house on the 13th 
of the following August, as follows: "The sd house to be built shall be 
built nine feet between joints and 22 feet wide & thirty-six foot long with 
a chimney at one end wilh a suitable roof and windows in sd House." 

Here the town meetings were held till New Bedford, which included 
Acushnet and Fairhaven, was incorporated in 1787. Then the inhabitants 
on the east side of the Acushnet river held the balance of power and the 
seat of legislation of the new town Avas established on Acushnet soil. The 
question of the location of a town house for the new town was a subject 
of prolonged discussion and indecision at frequent annual meetings for 
twenty years. 

]Meantime the meetings were held in the Precinct meeting house near 
Parting Ways. The members of the church frequently protested both 
orally and by vote, against the misuse of the meeting house. When they 
could endure the filth and destruction resulting from these gatherings no 
longer they embodied the warning in an official message to the town 
authorities, including the following: "If the town do not restrain its 
voters at tow^n meetings from standing on pews and seats and going into 
the pulpit the Precinct will not admit them into there Meeting house." 
This threat apparently did not accomplish the desired result, as later the 
society voted as follow^s : 



150 

"Whereas, the holding of town meetings in the Congregational 
meeting-honse is injurious to said house, and causes considerable 
trouble in the course of a year to cleanse the same, therefore voted, 
that Edward Pope, Esq., Capt. Obed Nye, and Samuel Perry, Esq., 
be a committee to agree with the town upon the terms said town may 
meet therein for the transaction of public business and in case the 
town shall refuse to comply with the terms proffered by said com- 
mittee they are to notify the Selectmen not to warn any town meeting 
to be holden in said house after the expiration of the present year. 
Said committee to make report on the last Saturday of September 
next 1805."* 

The society did, however, allow future town meetings held in the 
church, thus manifesting long suffering patience with the filthy tenants, 
as will be seen by the following item contained in the issue of the New 
Bedford Mercury of June 24, 1808 : 

"The inhabitants of the town are requested to meet on the 27th 
of June at 2 'clock at the Old Cong. Meeting House for the purpose 
of providing a suitable place for holding future Town Meetings ; as 
by vote of that precinct the Town is prohibited the use of said Meet- 
ing-house after the present year." 

It is probable the same meeting voted to buy a lot and build, as the 
New Bedford Mercury of April 7, 1809, reports that "The inhabitants of 
this town assembled in their newly erected Town-House at the Head of 
Acushnet River to give in their suffrages ' ' a day or two before. 

In 1808, soon after the above demand was made by the Presbyterians, 
the town bought from Bartholomew West a parcel of land south of and 
adjoining the Friends meeting house grounds at Parting Ways, where the 
schoolhouse now stands. Two years later a strip of land adjoining the 
above was purchased from Stephen Hathaway, and in the deed from 
Hathaway it was stated that a town house stood on the ' ' West lot. ' ' This 
fixes very nearly the date of the erection of the only building constructed 
within the limits of the present township of Acushnet especially for use 
as a town house. 

This building continued to be used as such till Fairhaven Avas set off 
from New Bedford, in 1812, when the former town refused to buy it. The 
"south-enders" of that town hoping to get a new one nearer the village, 
and New Bedford having no use for it then, the house was sold and moved 
to the northwest corner of Second and School streets. New Bedford, where 
it now stands. It was used as a house of worship by the First Baptist 
Society until they constructed the present church on William street. 

The first meeting of the new town of Fairhaven was called as author- 
ized by the legislature by Captain John Hawes of Acushnet, to be held 
at "Burial Hill, Feb. 22, 1812." The meeting place was doubtless the old 
church. The meetings continued to be held here till the old church dis- 

*If the church was left in such a fiUhy, disgraceful condition as modern town 
meeting looms were previous to the laws prohibiting the disgraceful habit of spitting 
on the floor of a public room, it is little wonder they wanted to be well paid for 
cleansing it. 



151 

appeared in 1837 and from that time on they were held in the engine houso 
which stood in the viHaoe on the north side of the street a little east of 
the schoolhonse. which is now the town honse. The accommodations here 
were inadeqnate. It was decided to hiiild a honse. Bnt the qnestion, 
AVhere'? raised a prolonged and increasingly heated controversy. The 
north-enders were determined it slionld not be located south of Parting- 
Ways and the south-enders were equally determined it should be. The 
latter showed their superior strength in a l)itter contest at the meeting of 
Nov. 26, 1831. when it was "voted that future town meetings be held at 
Academy Hall" (now southwest corner of JNIain street and the bridge.) 
The Acushuets who had I)eeii iu the contest for a central location of the 
Town house were comi)letely defeated but not routed. It was the perma- 
nent location of the building, which everyone admitted should be erected, 
that the Acushnets were nmnoeuvring for and they remained on the firing 
line up to 1813 (during which time the meetings were held at Academy 
ILdl). wlien Eben Akin, -Ir.. town clerk, called the annual meeting of the 
town to order in the new "Town house of said town." This house was 
l)uilt at an expense of $2,300. The lot on which it was located is on the 
northeast corner of ^lain and Hawthorn streets, Fairhaven, about half 
wa\' between Parting Ways and Fairhaven bridge. The situation was 
not far enough north to satisfy the people of the northerly section and 
furnished another argmnerJ for the division of the town. The two 
factions clashed and in the new house, says a writer, "red hot meetings 
were held and nnich town meeting gingerbread and election cake were 
consumed by the argumentative fire till the he^t caused the building to 
be bnrned in 1858." "Now for a division !" was the war cry and it was 
accomplished two yeai's later. A special town meeting was held in Phenix 
Hall, Fairhaven, soon after the fire, and tlie animal meeting of 1859 was 
held in Sawin's Hall in lliat village. 

The first meeting of the new town of Acushnet was on March 14, 
I860, in the engine house east of the bridge at the village, and they 
were held there continuously till the autunm of 1874. From that date till 
1878 the "new school house" at Parting Ways was the meeting place. 
Since 1878 the schoolhonse of former district No. 4 has been used as a tow'n 
house. 



TOWN MEETING Here are a few interesting items in relation to toAvn 
ORDERS houses and meetings. The first meeting of Old Dart- 

mouth of which a record has ])een found was ten 
years after its incorporation, and the following is a copy of three of the 
entries therein : 

At the first recorded town meeting of Old Dartmouth it was voted 
that the Herring Fishery at the Head of Aquisnot Harbor be inspected 



152 

and see what would be proper to be done in respect to opening the dams, 
&c., to facilitate the passage of Alewives up the River. 

"Att a town meetinge y® 22 of Jouly 1674 it is ordered that all 
our town meetings doe beginue at ten of y® Clocke and to continue 
nntill y^ Morderator releace the town not exceeding four of y*^ 
clocke." 

"It is all so ordered that all such parsons as. doe necklectt to a 
year all the town meetings shall for fitt to the town 1 shilling and six 
pence a pece and for coming to meeting to leatt three pence an hour." 
It was the common practice to post notices of military events and 
political gatherings, of the townspeople on school houses, churches and 
elsewhere. This was rightfully offensive to the Friends' society, and at a 
quarterly meeting of theirs at Apponegansett meeting house in 1783 a 
petition was prepared and subsequently presented to the selectmen and 
other officers of the town of Dartmouth recpiesting that "no more publica- 
tions of political or militar}^ matters be set up or posted up on the meeting 
house." The x>i'otest also includes notices of marriages. The petition 
states that the quarterly and yearly meetings of the society recommended 
that all such posting of notices were disagreeable to them, and that all or 
many of them were "such as their religious principles enjoin them to havt, 
no concern with," &c. This petition was duly presented to the authorities 
and the obnoxious practice was discontinued. 

A quaint order passed at one of the town meetings obligated every 
householder to notify the selectmen of each new inmate of his house, or 
the addition to his family of a new member. The town records contain 
the following returns : 

"To Humphrey Smith, Walter Spooner and Ezekell Cornell the present 
selectmen of y® town of Dartmouth Greeting: 

"This is to notify j'-ou as the law directs that I have taken in my 
house a young woman to dwell in said town named Elizabeth Baggs 
of Newport in the Colony of Rhode Island, &c who came to reside 
with me this day. 

Given under my hand this 30th of the six month called June 
1762, pr. WILLIAM ANTHONY. 

Received the above July y^llth 1762. 

HUMPHREY SMITH, 
One of the selectmen of Dartmouth." 

The town of New Bedford in 1787 was divided for political purposes 
into four districts. "The north and south lines of the division were made 
by the harbor and river ; and the east and west lines by the highway 
beginning in the line between this town and Dartmouth at bridge about 
twenty rods eastward of the house where James Peckham deceased last 
dwelt, and leading easterly to the bridge at the Head of said harbor and 
thence still easteHy by the dwelling house of Hannaniah Cornish to 
Rochester line." This line would now be the Plainville and Tarkiln Hill 
road through the village, thence easterly' out Mattapoisett road. 



153 

Among the officers elected were the following residents of Aeiishnet : 
Selectmen, John West, Isaac Pope ; assessor, Joseph Taber ; surveyor of lum- 
ber, Capt. Benjamin Dillingham; collector, Samuel Bowerman; constables, 
Robert Bennit, Sr., Paul Wing, Job Jenney, Elisha Cushman ; warden, 
Capt. Benjamin Dillingham; tithing man, Pardon Taber; fence viewers, 
Samuel West, Stephen Taber, Henry Jenne ; culler of staves, Capt. 
Benjamin Dillingham; hog reeves. Gilbert Bennit and Seth IlathaAvav. 



INDIAN TRAILS The original traveled ways in this town were Indian 
AND HIGHWAYS trails that connected their little villages, which were 

usuall\- near brooks, or on river banks, or near the 
ocean ])eaches. Those trails were simply foot paths through the forests 
wide enougii for one man. as the Indians preferred to tramp along in 
single file. In commencing these there was evidently no purpose to have 
them on a ''bee line," l)ut any course to avoid dense thickets, rocky 
nooks and other natural obstructions. The trails most frequented were 
only three or four feet wide. Those most used were kept free from under- 
brush along their sides, and from overhanging limbs that obstructed 
travel. There were no bridges, but streams were crossed by wading and 
swimming. The white settlers had no better pathways till many years 
after they came here, for they had no vehicles till almost fifty years later. 
Horseback was the only mode of conveyance. Men rode in the saddle 
and women behind them on a pillion. There were horse-blocks from which 
the horse was mounted at the homes, churches, stores and blacksmith 
shops. 

When our- people came here they found only these primitive ways, 
Avhich they lat<'r Avidened for the passage of teams. And finally these woods 
roads were laid out l)y tbe town as i)ublic Avays, Avith all the snake-like 
crooks and turns of the original Indian trail. The main trail through this 
toAvn Avas from Peaked rock, where it entered Acushnet from Middleboro, 
through Long Plain, over Perry Hill to tbe village bridge. All 
other trails in Ibis vicinity led into this, as the roads noAV lead into 
that road. This Avay was designated the Post road, as it Avas the stage 
and mail route to Boston for many years. It is noAv knoAAai, and called in 
this history, as Long Plain road. It Avas the first higliAvay laid out by 
Old Dartmouth in this tOAvn, but the act did not occur till sixty years after 
the incorporation of that toAvn. There was a much used trail leading over 
Perry Hill eastAvard through Rochester and onward to Plymouth, but in 
my opinion this Avas not a part of Avhat has been popularly known since 
the settlement of Old Dartmouth as the Rhode Island Avay, for reasons 
given on previous pages. The way from Peaked rock southAvard Avas on 
record as early as 1711 as the "long Plain Rode." On a "Map of Rodes, " 
from a plan made by the selectmen of Ncav Bedford, February, 1795, by 



154 

an act of the General Court of June 18, 1794. the only highways in Acush- 
net were "Post Rode," "Perry Hill Rode" and "Fairhaven Rode." 

In the early days there were a number of woods roads in town which 
accommodated the settlers off the main line of travel. Some of them 
have been abandoned and are now impassable, and others have become 
town ways. Notably among the discontinued ones is that which was at 
the eastward of and practically parallel with Long Plain road. It 
■ branched off from this highway about two miles north of Long Plain and 
bore southerly, crossing Quaker Lane, thence over the Rochester road on 
the Col. Robinson farm, and onward across Perry Hill road east of the 
church to the south end of the town. The assurance by old residents of 
the existence of this road is abundantly confirmed by cellars and 
remnants of stone foundations of dwellings which may be seen at this 
date along the line of this way. Jeremiah Hammett, a native of this town 
now eighty years of age, tells the writer that his grandfather. Shubel 
Hammett, saw loads of whale oil and household goods hauled up from 
Fairhaven during the threatening days of the war of 1812, and secreted 
along this road, which was then sparsely inhabited, and its existence 
would iu)t be suspected by strangers traveling on the Long Plain road. 
Mr. Hammett remembers that William Bennett and John Ryder lived on 
this way. There was another open way extended from Long Plain road 
at the first corner north of Parting" Ways, westward past Whelden fac- 
tory to Mill road. An inhabited road extended southward from a point 
on the Mattapoisett road near Cornish's Corner to the north end of what 
is now a public way, running northward from Bridge street in Fairhaven, 
thus connecting this Fairhaven section with Mandell road. 



CORNERS The well known "corners" in the town and village are 
Swift's Corner, where the post office building now stands. 
It was so designated from Jireh Swift, who owned the land and building 
on the northwest corner. It is called so in the act of incorporation of 
this town. 

Ball's or Davis's Corner is the next one north of the above, where the 
Mill road branches off from the County road or Acushnet avenue. 

Lund's Corner is the cross roads, as such places are designated in 
the southern states, a few rods west of the bridge. It acquired its name 
from Jonathan P. Lund who conducted an extensive business in the 
village and had a large building on the southeast corner of this cross 
road in which he manufactured tin ware and dealt in that and other 
household utensils and farming tools. This spot is where Acushnet 
avenue and the street leading west from the bridge cross. As this is a 
terminus of two trolley lines the name and location are widespread. 

Potter's Corner is at the west end of the Middle road, at the JMill 
road, named for Thomas Potter, who resided there. 



155 

• Luther's Corner is the east end of the Middle road at the Long 
Plain road, and received its name from Naomi Luther, who resided there. 

Mason Taber Corner is the junction of Perry Hill and Long Plain 
roads, where Mason Taber 's tavern was located. 

Cornish Corner is at the homestead of Hannaniah Cornish on the 
Mattapoisett road, about one and a half miles east of Long Plain road, 
where the highway makes a sharp turn to the north. 

Wilcox Corner is about a mile west of Long Plain. It is mentioned 
in the layout of highways. 

Parting Ways is on the Post road, a half mile east of the village 
bridge. It is where the Rhode Island way is parted by the Fairhaven 
way, which leads southward from this point. All the other road corners 




LUND'S CORNER 



Photo. l).v James K. Reed, New Bedfoid, 



are named from the owner of land on one of the corners and change with 
the change of the tenant. But the song of this attractive spot, the Part- 
ing-of-the-Ways, is that 

"Men may come, and men may go. 
But I go on forever." 

HIGHWAY NAMES A few of the recorded layouts of highways are 
AND LAYOUTS. briefly given below. 

Fairhaven road. This highway, from Parting 
Ways southerly to the town line, was ordered to be widened where the 
ledges are in 1852. My efforts to find the original layout of this highway 
have been unsuccessful. It was probably near the date of the layout of 
Post road, from the north end of this section, northerly from Parting 
Ways, 1724, for in that year it is evident the extension of this road 



156 

was laid out from "Susannah Hathaway 's orchard," which was the lot 
where the dwelling house of the late Capt. Stephen Kempton now stands 
at the town line, southerly to the present Fairhaven water tower. The 
road from Susannah Hathaway 's orchard down present Main and Adams 
streets to Huttleston avenue in Fairhaven was laid out Feb. 25, 1728. The 
road from the present junction of Adams and Main streets down into the 
village, did not exist at the above date. 

Keen road, from Freetown line through William White's and 
Parker's land, IMarch 4, 1778. This road fr<vn Freetown line to Ebenezer 
Keen's dwelling house was laid out by the selectmen, forty feet wide, 
March 25, 1845. 

Mattapoisett road. The section of this road extending eastward from 
the Friends' meeting house past William Spooner's homestead was laid 
out thirty feet wide, March 26, 1715. 

Mattapoisett road. A section of this road from Cornish's corner to 
Tripp's mill was laid out Oct. 6, 1786. 

Mattapoisett road. An extension of this highway from John Tuck's 
dwelling house northerly, one hundred rods long, the first road ordered 
laid out by the town of Acushnet, March 27, 1861. 

Mill road. Here is part of a recorded layout of County road from 
Freetown to the Village bridge. The layout was made Jan. 8-6. 1719, at 
which time there was no open way from Ball's corner down present 
County road to Lund's corner. From a copy of the record furnished. me 
by Charles A. Morton the layout from Ball's corner is as follows: 

"Thence E. 2°y2 N. 15 rods to a White (oak) marked D. thence S. 
42°!/) E. 461/^ rods to a heap of stones on the north side of a little 
Brook nigh t"^) the Mills. Thence S. 17°i/o E. 26 rods to a heap of 
stones on the south side of the hill thence S. 2° W. 38 2-3 rods to a 
heap of stones on the south side of the way that comes up from 
Apponegansett, and N. 31° W. 3 rods and 4 feet from the back side 
of Samuel Joy's oven." 

This last heap of stones was on the south side of Bridge street, 
opposite the south end of Mill road. The south line of Bridge street 
westerly to Lund's corner was seventy feet north of "the back side of 
Samuel Joy's oven." 

Mill road. The County Commissioners ordered the road from Ball's 
corner to Potter's corner straightened and widened to twenty-five feet in 
the "traveled part," Oct. 10, 1834. 

IMiddle road. From Potter's corner eastward, connecting the Mill road 
with the Long Plain road at (Mrs. Naomi) Luther's corner, was laid out 
by the County Commissioners "to be twenty-four feet wide in the traveled 
loart," March 1, 1851. 

Nye avenue, that section of it betAveen Bridge (the main street of 
the village) and Slocum streets, was accepted b\- the town in 1906. 

Peckham road. From Long Plain road west i)y Timothy Davis's 



157 

orchard and Joseph Severance and Ebenezer Allen's mill dam, past 
Renben ]\Iason's to Ebenezer Keen's land on this road. Ebenezer 
Allen, Jr., Nicholas Davis and Job Wilcox were on the line of this road. 
Laid out May 11, 1792. 

Peckham road. Cyrns Clark run out a road from the Long Plain 
road in the village to Ansel White's mill dam, formerly owned by 
Ebenezer Allen, past the house formerly owned by Joseph Severance, 
July 2, 1823. The section of the Peckham road from Jonathan Tobey's 
place on the County road easterly to the above layouts was laid out 
March 29, 1841. 

Post road. The south part of this highwaj^, from the bridge at 
Acushnet Village to Perry Hill, jiast the land of Stephen West, INIeeting 
house green, John Jenney, John Spooner, John Taber's homestead at 
Mason Taber's corner, Elnathan Pope, Elnathan Spooner and Joseph 
Taber. To be four rods wide. Nov. 6, 1724. 

Post road. The north part of this road from Perry Hill road, com- 
mencing at land of the widow of Capt. Seth Pope, past and through land 
of James Dexter, William Bennett, Jeremiah Bennett, Joseph Sampson, 
James Rowland, Tinu>thy Davis's house, John Cook's barn, widow 
Pierce, Elnathan Hathaway, Seth Spooner and Walter Spooner, to 
Peaked rock, on the north line of the town. Laid out forty feet wide, 
March 13, 1760. 

Quaker lane. The County Commissioners ordered the road from the 
house of Stephen Tripp past the residence of Walter C. Davis and that 
of AVing Rowland widened and straightened, Jan. 20, 1848. 

Rochester road. Laid out from Long Plain road to Rochester line 
from the northwest corner of Joseph Sampson's line past land of Ebenezer 
Allen and Amos Simmons, IMay 14, 1789. 

Rochester road. Cyrus Clark run out a roail from Charles P. 
Thatcher's house past land of Capt. Williams Ashley to the Rochester 
line, Julv 16, 1832. 

Slocum street, extending from Fairhaven road westerly to Rope 
street, was accepted by the town in 1905. 

MACADAM Probably no town in the Commonwealth has more miles 
HIGHWAYS of macadam highway in proportion to the assessed valua- 
tion than this little town. The voters realized the expen- 
siveness of the work, the debt to be incurred and the high rate of tax that 
must and did inevitably follow, but the dirt highways were abominable 
from the nature of the soil, and the taxpayers were determined they 
should be made better, and they werfe. 

The first work of this description done in town was in 1896. At the ' 
spring town meeting $5,000 was aj)propriated to macadamize the ]\Iill 
road northward from Ball's Corner. This was done by contract at a cost 
of seventy-five cents per running foot. At a special town meeting $1,500 



158 

was appropriated to build siicli a road by contract from the bridge east- 
ward, a distance of 1,500 feet. 

In the spring of 1897 Henry H. Rogers of Fairhaven donated to 
Acushnet a crusher and engine, which enabled the town to do its own 
macadamizing and save contractors' profits. At this date the Fairhaven 
road was macadamized. Distance, 6,610 feet, sixteen feet wide and eight 
inches deep on the crown; expended $2,818.64, at a cost of less than 
43 cents per running foot. The above was the width and depth of nearly 
all the macadam afterwards laid on the main roads. 

Mill road. In 1897. Extended from Wheldeu Brook to Potter's Corner, 
7,200 feet, at an outlay of $3,024.62. 

Perry Hill road of 6,600 feet was constructed in 1898 at an expense 
to the town of $2,553.71, besides subscriptions of over $600. , ' 

Rochester or Robinson road was also laid in 1898. Distance 4,900 
feet; cost to town $1,471.08, besides nearly $700 subscribed for the pur- 
pose by citizens of this town and Rochester. This and the Perry Hill 
road being on the direct line of travel from the latter town to New Bed- 
ford, citizens of that town subscribed liberally to encourage Acushnet 
to appropriate. 

Middle or Cross road. In 1899. Distance 6,289 feet; town's money 
$2,192.54; cash subscriptions $504.62. 

Long Plain road from the state road at Captain James R. Allen's 
northward in 1899. Distance 7,351 feet; town's money $2,870.26; sub- 
scriptions $1,035.55. 

Mattapoisett road, 1899. Distance 7,000 feet, (part twelve feet wide) ; 
town's money $2,708.16; cash subscriptions $852.94. 

Long Plain road, from G. A. Fuller's to Long Plain. In 1900. Dis- 
tance 12,225 feet; town's money $5,693.01; cash subscriptions $214.55; 
total cost $5,478.46 ; cost per foot 50 1-3 cents. 

Long Plain road completed, 1901. Distance 9,300 feet; town's money 
$5,516.65; subscriptions $496. 

Morse road. In 1905. Cash subscriptions, besides the sum ex})ended 
by the town, $189. 

This put the two main highways running parallel the length of the 
town, and several of the roads in good condition. The chief defects 
were insufficient crowning and too shallow gutters in most of the work. 
This has resulted in a rapid and expensive deterioration in the macadam. 
At the outbreak of the macadam fever James C. Gammons was road 
commissioner. He served the town with great efficienc}'^ till the original 
macadam work was comjileted in 1905. 

At the outset of this work the town wisely appointed a committee 
consisting of Moses S. Douglass, chairman of the Board of Selectmen; 
Henry W. Cushman and Augustus White, successful business men of the 
place, to co-operate with the road commissioner in this work. When the 
roads at the south end of the town had been built Mr. White withdrew 



159 

from the ahove committee, and was succeeded in 1901 by Thomas E. 
Braley. a resident of the north end. 

The above comprises more than twelve miles of macadam highway at 
an outlay to the town and contributors of about $33,000, not including 
interest on notes. Besides the above the state constructed a mile of 
macadam on the Long Plain road. 



•& 



BRIDGES Tlie only bridge across the Acushnet river for nearly a hun- 
dred and fifty years after the original settlers came here 
was the bridge at Acushnet Village. This place, in my judgment, as 
before stated, is where the Indian trail from Plymouth to Rhode Island 
crossed the river. The location of Precinct cemetery ;' and the crooked 
highway from Parting Ways to the bridge, and the contour of the land 
indicates that the present road and bridge is where the Indian trail and 
later the Rhode Island way were located. 

This bridge was torn up l)y the Yankee forces the night of the fa- 
mous British raid in the Revolutionary War, and partly destroyed in the 
September gale of 1815, when it was partly reconstructed with wood. By 
a vote of the town of Fairhaven. 1828, a sum of money was appropriated 
to build a stone bridge here. .lames Sherman of Acushnet was given 
the contract. It was commenced in 1828, but the money was insufficient 
to complete the jol). An additional appropriation was made for the 
purpose in the spring of 1829 and tlie work was finished that year. This 
accounts for the date 1829 carved on the south wall, and 1828 on the north 
wall, which are the years they were laid. A view of this arched granite 
structure from a point down the river is a picturesque one. 

No bridge sj)anned the river below this point till a corporation con- 
structed a toll l)ridge a mih' in length connecting Fairhaven and New 
Bedford, three miles farther down the river, in 1796. The bridge was 
constructed at once, but much of it was swept away in IMay, 1807. It was 
immediately rebuilt, and again demolished in the September gale of 1815. 
Previous to this date the only way the south end of Dartmouth was 
reached from the south end of Fairhaven was by rowboats, or around the 
Head-of-the-River, a total distance of twenty miles. 

This was a toll bridge. The rates charged in 1800 were as follows: 
Foot passengers, four cents each ; twelve cents for each person and 
horse ; twenty-five cents for each chaise or sulky ; thirty-six cents for each 
four-wheeled carriage, and six cents for a wheelbarrow and the person 
propelling it. This bridge was rendered useless by the September gale, 
when it was rebuilt at an expense of $15,000 and was thereafter free to 
the public. This bridge was replaced by a new and elaborate one, which 
was begun in 1895, and finished in 1901, at a total outlay of over one 
and a quarter million dollars. Of this sum Acushnet was compelled to pay 
$6,000, but is fortunate to be exempt from the tremendous expense of 
maintaining it. 



160 



Indigrnation of the tax payers of the county at the inefficient manage- 
ment of the county officials in charge of the work became so great that 
they induced the legislature to take the matter out of their hands and 
give the city of New Bedford the privilege of completing the structure. 
An humiliating act! 

The lliird bridge across the river is from Spooner's Point in Fair- 
haven, at the foot of Rowland road, to Coggeshall street at New Bedford. 




NEW BEDFORD AND FAIRHAVEN BRIDGE 



Tills was i)r(ibably tiu- ■lower passing jdace'' of the Indians, called so to 
distiiiiruish it from their '■ui>per passing plaee" at the village bridge. 
This bridge was commenced in 18!)1 and completed in 1804 at a cost of 
!{<")( 1.000. Acushnet was called upon to invest JJ<2.000 in this enterprise, 
whieh. like the Fairhaven bridge. i)ays Aeushnet small dividends. 



161 

The fourth bridge is a wooden structure a few rods below the one 
at the village, and crosses the river at the foot of Slocum road. It is a 
private affair and was built to aid in the development of the Stephen 
West and Joseph B. Slocum farms for building purposes. It is not an 
unreasonable conjecture that the river will be bridged in the near future 
from the vicinity of the Nonquitt mills, to supply building lots for the 
operations of the rapidly growing cotton manufacturing industry on the 
New Bedford side of the river in that locality. 



POSTAL Acushnet had no United States post office till the year 

FACILITIES 1820. Previous to that date mail for the residents of 
Acushnet came to New Bedford by stage subsequent to 
1794, when the first post office in that town w^as established. The mails 
were brought from Boston once a week at the beginning, and on the 
return of the stage the driver left the mail for Acushnet people at the 
taverns. There was little except important letters transported in the mails, 
as postal rates were too expensive for anything except business or urgent 
matters. The rate to Boston was ten cents, to New York eighteen cents, 
and Philadelphia tweiity-five cents, the rate increasing with the distance. 

This was the only mail facility Acushnet had till Dec. 30, 1820, when 
the "North Fairhaven" post office was established and the nine years' 
term of James Taber as postmaster began. James was a brother of Jabez, 
who was proprietor of the Taber Tavern. The post office was in James's 
dwelling house, which is still standing, perhaps one hundred feet north 
of the tavern. The office was transferred to Acushnet Village Feb. 11. 
1829, when Gustavus Gilbert became postmaster. He was succeeded 
Sept. 14. 1831. by Cyrus E. Clark, who held the office through the different 
party administrations, covering a period of more than a half century. 

The name of the office was changed to Acushnet in 1864, and the 
appointments since the change have been as follows : 
Cyrus E. Clark, April 4, 1864. George H. Gifford, Dee. 23, 1893. 

Rufus W. Gifford. May 14, 1884. Charles H. Kenyon. July 21. 1896. 
Allen Russell. Jr., Dec. 6. 1886. Walter F. Douglass, June 13, 1904. 

Long Plain Village had no post office till 1834. Here are the names 
of the postmasters who have served there with the dates of their appoint- 
ments : 

Charles F. Thatcher, April 19, 1834. Caleb Slade, April 20. 1883. 
William S. Wilde, April 7. 1864. Dennis S. .Alason, May 17. 1889. 
John Manter. Jr.. April 17. 1866. Sarah J. Braley. July 2. 1901. 
Richard Davis, Jr.. Jan. 4. 1875. 

]\lrs. Braley is the only woman who has held the position within the 
bounds of original New Bedford. She has been an efficient and faithful 
official. 



162 



As to the location of post offices at Acushnet Village, from the most 
reliable information the writer has been able to obtain he concludes the 
first one was in the grocery store of Cyrus E, Clark, now the second build- 
ing west of the bridge on the north side of the street, next house to the 
northeast corner of Bridge street and Mill road. Postmaster Gilbert was 
a law student of Judge N. S. Spooner and Mr. Clark was his assistant. 
Mr. Clark gave up the grocery business about 1832, the year after he was 
apponited postmaster, and the office was transferred to the little building 




riinto. by James E. Reed, New Bedfoiil. 
RURAL FREE DELIVERY, NO. 1 

between the above store and the bridge, where Shubael Gilford then 
mainifactured and repaired boots and shoes. 

The thii'il office was in the dwelling house now of the heirs of 
Hananiah Collins on the north side of Bridge street. Avhere Mr. Clark then 
lived. Later Mr. Chii-k built and resided in the house across the way 
from the above, which was burned and rebuilt in LSIT. where the post 
office was till i\lr. Clark's successor was anjjointed in 1884, when the post 
office was established at tlie northwest corner of Bridge street and Mill 



163 

road, on the New Bedford side of the line. There it has been located ever 
since that date. 

The first post office at Lon^' Plain was in the store of Charles F. 
Thatcher, at the southeast corner of Rochester and Long Plain roads. Mr. 
Thatcher at one period was both postmaster and mail carrier. At first 
the mail came tri-weekly. It is said Mr. Thatcher sometimes covered the 
mail route to Acushnet Village on foot, and it was not unusual for him 
to carry the small quantity of mail in his beaver hat or in his red V)an- 
danna handkerchief. 

The next office was in Samuel Wilde's variety store, at the north end 
of the village, his son, William S.. being the postmaster. During the 
terms of John ]\Ianter, Jr.. avIio never performed the active duties of the 




Photo, by .faiiu'S E. Kcril, Nfw Bedfoiil. 
RURAL FREE DELIVERY, NO. 2 

position, and that of Richard Davis, Jr.. the office was in the same store, 
and its successor across the way, now occupied by Mr. Davis. 

From 1883 till 1!)()1 the office was in the grocery store opposite the 
west end of Rochester road, and since the latter date at the residence of 
the postmistress, next north of the Baptist church, till the office was 
abolished in 1907. 

Soon after the United States congress provided for the free delivery 
of mail in rural districts a route was established in this towiL The route 
covered twenty-two and oneJialf miles of highway, including the follow- 
ing roads: F'airhaven. Mattapoisett, Perry Hill, Rochester, Quaker Lane, 
Long Plain (the whole length). William A. Gurney was appointed the 
first carrier and made the first trip Jan. 2, 1901. On that date he delivered 



164 

fifty-seven pieces of mail and eolleeted twelve pieces. He is now deliver- 
ing an average of abont 9,000 pieces per month and collecting about 
4,000 pieces. Mr. Gurney is the only carrier this route has had. 

Route No. 2 was established in 1903. It also goes out from the Acush- 
net post office. Part of the territory covered is in this town and the 
balance in New Bedford. The distance is about the same as No. 1, and 
the route is on the following roads : Tarkiln Hill, County, Philips, Braley, 
Peckham, Keene, Morse, Mill, Nye, and White's Factory. The first and 
only carrier is Abraham L. Dillingham, whose appointment dates Oct. 1, 
1903. 

THE LIQUOR At the very commencement of the life of the Pilgrims 
TRAFFIC in their new homes at Plymouth they found that the 

liquor habit was present and at once its demoralizing 
and direful effects were manifest. This is shown by the court records. 
So alarming had the results of intoxicants become that the General Court 
passed the following semi-prohibitory law as early as 1638 : 

"Forasnnich as grate inconveniences have beene occasioned by 
younge men & other labourers that have Dyeted in Inns & Ale 
houfes efpecially who have had other houfes to repair vnto in the' 
Towne, It is therefore enacted by the Court, That none shall Dyett 
in Inns or Alehoufes, nor haunt them which are in the Townes they 
live in, nor make them the ordinary places of their Abode." 

Then as now, the people licensed the ungodly traffic arid then 
deplored the cursed work it wrought. 

The colony limited the price of li(iUors by this act of 1663: "Noe 
liquors shall bee sold in any p'te of this Gov'ment that shall exceed in 
prise six shillings the gallon, except it bee English Sperritts." 

License li(|uor laws were in force when Acushnet first became the 
abode of the white man. Here is an amended hiw of the colony made 
soon after : 

"1669. It. is enacted by the Court & the authoritie thereof that 
none shall sell wine, liquors. Cyder, or beere by retaile in this CoUonie 
except they have a lysinse & to pay for theire lycense according to 
the Capacitie of the place where they live." 

One hundred years ago liquor was sold in this town not only in 
taverns and ordinaries, but in all grocery and provision stores where the 
conscience of the proprietor would admit of it. The baneful effects of 
ability to procure liquor within a short distance of every home and the 
enormous patronage of these places were apparent in some of the families 
and farms of the town. There were as many as eleven places at one time 
in this town where intoxicating licpiors were as openly sold as groceries. 

The public attitude towards the iniquitous business then was quite 
unlike the present day. ^len of good standing in society, in business and 
in the church engaged in the traffic without losing caste. Here are the 
names of eight men who held liipior licenses in this town more than a 



165 

hundred years ago: John Spooner, Elnathan Pope, Daniel Spooner, 
Lemuel Mendall, Richard Pierce, John Crandon, Stephen Bennett, Thomas 
Crandon. 

A liquor license was granted to Captain William Gordon (for a 
tavern) in 1783-84. To Squire Samuel Sprague in 1779-80-81. To Joseph 
Cook (building contractor) in 1779. To Seth Spooner in 1788-89. To 
Archelus Taber in 1788. To Jabez Taber (tavern keeper) as late as 1812. 

In 1741 in some way the authorities omitted to grant a li(iuor license 
to John Crandon of Acushnet Village, tavern keeper, and there was no 
place in the village where liquor could be l)()ught. A petition was signed 
by fifty men to have a license granted to him and juvsented to the General 
Court. Among the petitioners were : 
Lemuel Pope, Samuel Joy, 

Elnathan Pope, Thomas Wrightington. 

Samuel Jeiniey, Robert Wrightington, 

Samson Jenney, John Spooner. 

Some of these men at least were highly respected men in the com- 
munity and members of the Precinct church. 

That there has been a delightfully encouraging change in the senti- 
ment of the town on this very important subject, which every one will 
rejoice in who has an interest in the well being of the town, is demon- 
strated by record evidence. It is contained in the vote of the town at 
each annual town meeting of the past ten years on the (juestion: Shall 
license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors for the ensuing year? 

1897. Yes, 2. No, 124. 1902. Yes, 0. No, 64, 

1898. Yes, 7. No, 119. 1903. Yes, 0. No, 55. 

1899. Yes, 1. No, 99. 1904. Yes, 2. No, 110. 

1900. Yes. 3. No, 86. 1905. Yes, 1. No, 113. 

1901. Yes, 8. No, 159. 1906. Yes, 0. No, 114. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT Acushnet village has long been supplied with an 

apparatus for extinguishing fires, as a large part 
of it is in the New Bedford fire district. The first fire engine placed at 
the Head-of-the-River was in 1821 or 1822. It was a bucket engine, but 
its name, if it had one, cannot be learned by the writer. It was succeeded 
by No. 3, a Hunneman Tub. from New Bedford. 

This early type of fire engines were called Bucket engines from the 
fact that water had to be carried from the source of supply, a river or 
well or pond, to the machine in buckets. Every member was supplied 
with a bucket, which he was required to keep at his abode. Generally 
they were hung in a convenient position in the front hall, in readiness 
for immediate use. At a fire the engine was taken close to the burning 
building, two lines of men were formed to the nearest water supply, one 



166 

line to pass the filled buckets to the reservoir of the engine, and the 
other to pass them back. These lines were called "lanes." If boys were 
present, they were placed on the dry lanes, where the work was lightest. 
The buckets were filled by the bailer, and were passed from one to another 
up the wet lane, and returned by the dry one. Thus the men at the 
brakes of the engine were kept busy. These buckets were made of the 
best of leather with the number of the engine on them, or the name of 
the owner when they were kept at his house. 

The water was thrown from the engines through a flexible pipe 
attached to a tower placed over the pump, which was worked by side 
brakes. At the first trial of this machine at the village, Foreman Samuel 
Pierce of Acushnet stood on top of the tower directing operations when 
the pipe burst at the butt and the enthusiastic foreman was actually lifted 
into the air by the force of the stream. He declared the engine to be a 
powerful one. which she proved to be. This machine was in service here 
till 1828, when it was wrecked — purposely, it was generally believed, 
so that the company could have a better one — on the way to the fire of 
Capt. Pardon Nye's barn on Nye lane. This engine was housed in a small 
building adjoining the present post office on the north. 

The second machine stationed at the Head-of-the-River was evidently 
here as early as 1835. when the following persons constituted the mem- 
bership Of the company : 

Captain. Shubael H. Gilford ; clerk. Jireh Swift, Jr. ; members, 
Philip T. F. Davis, Isaiah Parlow, Thaddeus W. Perry, B. Parlow, Thomas 
P. Terry, Samuel Spooner, Mark Snow. James Spooner, William Spooner. 
Jr., Erastus Merrick. Obed Nye. Isaac Terry, Obed Gilford, R. B. Smith, 
Levi Hawes, Silas Stetson. 

The above are the names of the first fire engine company at the 
Head-of-the-River that has come to my knowledge. The next company 
roster recorded is that of the same company in 1814-45, which was as 
follows : 

Foreman, Thomas P. Potter; clerk, Silas Stetson; Mark Snow, 
Amos Braley, Philip T. Davis, Silas Braley. Augustus Harrington, Andrew 
B. Grinnell. Peter Taber, Simeon Hawes. Lemuel Terry, Nathaniel 
Spooner, George T. Russell, Sr., A. B. Richardson, Charles McArthur. 
Edward Payson, Levi Strong, Borden Spencer, Parkman M. Lund, 
Warren Parker, Rufus Williams, John Mansfield, Joseph S. Spooner. W. 
R. Carroll. 

No. 8 was sold to the town of Fairhaven for $150 about 1855. and was 
transferred to the building erected and used by Sanmel Pierce as a car- 
penter shop, located on the east side of the river nearly opposite school- 
house No. 4, the present town house. It is evident the name and number 
were changed, as the inscription over the entrance to the quarters was: 
"Aecushnett 4." Here she remained till Acushnet was incorporated, 



167 

after which the company disbanded and the machine was sold to a 
junk dealer. 

The vacancy made by the sale of No. 3 was filled by Citizen No. 2, 
in 1856, when the roster of the company consisted of the following' names : 

Foreman, Renben Washburn; clerk. Edward P. Lund; James S. 
Howard, James Butler, Lemuel A. Washburn, Thomas S. Potter, Charles 
H. Potter, Valentine Luce, Charles A. Cushman, Rodolphus Nye, James 
H. Terry, John McCagh, Howard Pittsley, L. M. Emerson, George L. 
Hathaway, Andrew B. Grinnell, Arthur Ricketson, Samuel P. Burt, 
Edward Spooner, Francis Spooner, George Collins, Augustus Hathaway, 
Seth Hoard. B. Ritter, H. IMathews, Charles D. Reynolds, William Chase. 

This machine remained here only a short time, as appears by Ellis' 
History of the New Bedford Fire Department, which states that on Jan. 
18, 1861, Hancock No. 9 was transferred to the Head-of-the-River, and 
Citizen No. 2 was withdrawn and sold. On the company record book is 
the statement that Hancock No. 9 was built by John Agnew in Phihi- 
delphia, and was moved to Acushnet June 18, 1861. Ellis also states that 
the Hancock replaced the Citizen in 1860. No. 2 was honsed for a while 
in the building south of the bridge. 

The officers, ])revious to 1890, were called Foreman, 1st Assistant, 
2nd Assistant and Clerk. Since the latter date they have ranked as Cap- 
tain, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant and Clerk. These offices since 1854 
have been filled by the following persons : 

Foremen and Captains. Reuben Washburn, 1855-56-65 to 1877 
inclusive. Simeon Hawes, 1860-61-62-63-61. George W. Bennett, 1879-80. 
John A. Russell, 1881-82-83 to 1893 inclusive. Frank P. Washburn, 1894 
to the present time. 

First Assistants and Lieutenants. Seth Hoard, 1855-56-69 to 1876 
inclusive. Reuben Washburn, 1860-61-63-64. Elias Hoard, 1862. Charles 
E. Howland, 1865-66-67. Thomas R. Hawes, 1868. John A. Russell, 1879. 
George W. Paige, 1880. George W. Bennett, 1881-82. George W. Randall, 
1883-84. Francis P. Washburn, 1885 to 1893 inclusive. Herbert M. 
Spooner, since 1894. 

Second Assistants and 2nd Lieutenants. Edward C. Spooner, 
1853-56. Seth Hoard, 1860-61. Joseph Lawrence, 1862. Jonathan P. 
Lund, 1863. Eli W. Reed, 1864. Jireh B. Gifieord, 1865. Edward C. 
Spooner, 1866-67. Charles E. Howland, 1868. Alexander 0. Pierce, 
1879-80. Amos P. Little, 1881-82. Israel H. Peckham, 1881-82-83-84-85. 
Joseph W. Spooner, 1886-87-88-89-90-91-92. Herbert S. Spooner, 1893. 
John G. Whalen, since 1894. 

Clerks. Samuel P. Burt, 1855. Edward P. Lund, 1856-57-58-59-60- 
61-64-65-66. Reuben Washburn, 1862. George A. Cobb, 1866 to 1878 
inclusive. Andrew B. Grinnell, 1879-80. Allen Russell, Jr., 
1881-82-83-84-85-86 and 1890. John Daley, 1887-88-89-91-92. John F. 
Parker, 1893-94. John Russell, since 1894. 



.168 



Hancock No. 9 is still at Acushnet villag:e, and is the only protection 
in case of fire for this important and growing section of the city. This 
machine was originally placed in commission in the city of New Bedford 
in 1843. 

The next engine house after the two above mentioned was located 
on the spot where George W. Bennett's blacksmith shop now stands, on 
the west bank of the river, about two hundred feet south of the bridge. 
When the schoolhouse standing on Acushnet avenue, just south of the 
Congregational church, where the present one is, was moved across the 
highway, it was transformed into an engine house, and has since been 
used for that purpose. 




HANCOCK ENGINE, NO. 9 



Nothing stirred the boys of the "machine" quite like an alarm of 
fire, and as they ran through the town hauling the engine by ropes 
attached to it, they would sometimes sing this .jolly chorus of a fireman's 



song: 



' ' Then Wake her ! Wake her ! ! Now, my boys ! 

As through the streets we fly. 
And when we r(»ach the fire, my boys. 

Then 'break her down's' the cry." 

When extra efi^orts were required at the brakes the chief or foreman 
would cry: "Waker! Shake her!" and the boys would do so with a 
shout. 

At a gala day of the New Bedford department Nov. 26, 1878, at the 
banquet in City Hall, the following was one of the toasts : 

"Hancock No. 9: Like the illustrations statesman whose name 
you bear, may each member of the company be firm in the resolve 
that Freedom's fire shall jicver go out." 



led 

This was preceded by music by the Acushnet band, and was responded 
to by Foreman Reuben Washburn. 

The Acushnet boys have manned the brakes and done heroic duty at 
many fires, some of which were large and resulted in great loss. They 
deserve and the locality demands more up-to-date apparatus. 

A memorable and disastrous fire occurred in the village in 18-17. 
Three dwelling houses and other l)uildings were destroyed, notwith- 
standing the brave and tireless services of the entire New Bedford fire 
department. The New Bedford Mercury thus briefly describes the catas- 
trophe in its issue of Friday, June 11, 1847. 

"On Wednesday evening a bowling alley and barn adjoining at 
Head-of-the-river took fire about 12 o'clock and was entirely 
destroyed. This belonged to ]\Irs. Cummings, who had purchased it 
within a few days of j\Ir. James Thomas. It appears to have been 
regarded as a nuisance, and it has been suggested that the origin of 
the fire may not have been entirely accidental. At 3 o'clock on the 
afternoon of the next day a dwelling house on the farm of Mr. Gideon 
Nye, Jr., temporarily resorted to by Mrs. Humphrey Hathaway, 
whose husband was at sea, took fire from a defect in the chimney and 
was entirely destroyed, together with a considerable portion of the 
small remains of her furniture rescued from the flames on the pre- 
ceding night. Great credit is due to the firemen of Engine No. 3." 

Among other destructive fires in and about Acushnet Village which 
the Hancock boys have vigorously fought are the following: 

Congregational church on County road in the village, loss $2,500, 
Feb. 5, 1865. Reuben Washburn's house, April 17, 1880. Thomas Terry's 
blacksmith shop, south of bridge, June 8, 1882. Simeon Hawes' ice houses, 
June 7, 1882, and again the 10th of the same month ; loss $12,800, insured 
for $7,900. Congregational chapel, Oct. 28, 1885. Thomas Terry's farm- 
house, on the east side of the Mill road, formerly the residence of Capt. 
William Gordon, July 9, 1886. George A. Cobb's Hall, Oct. 24, 1887. 
Frank B. Carr's box factory, Acushnet avenue. June 13, 1888. Mary 
Davis' dwelling house, March 20, 1894. Henry W. Cushman's box factory 
on Long Plain road, Aug. 1, 1894. Frank B. Carr's box factory, Acush- 
net avenue, Nov. 4, 1894. Simeon Hawes' barn. Oct. 16, 1895. Plainville 
houses, Aug. 4, 1896. Humphrey H. Swift's building, April 15, 1899. 
Harry O. White's dwelling house. County road, Oct. 17, 1900. Julia 
Parker's dwelling house, July 4, 1901. Mary Davis' ice house, Aug. 27. 
1901. Charles S. Knowles' wax factory, Nov. 13, 1901. Charles How- 
land's dwelling house. April 24, 1903. Stephen West house, west of 
Parting Ways, May 27, 1903. Methodist church, in the village, entirely 
destroyed Dec. 11, 1904. 

"The Bedford Fire Society" was formed March 4, 1807, with 
Abraham Sherman. Jr., a native of this town, as clerk. A committee 
was appointed to form rules and regulations, and eighteen articles in 
regard to the management of the fire department were adopted. 



170 

Article 6 will be interesting' as showing some things that were 
required of members. "p]ach member shall keep constantly in good order, 
hanging up in some convenient place in his dwelling house, under penalty 
of fifty cents for each deficiency, two leather buckets and two bags; the 
buckets to he painted conformably to the orders of the society; the bags 
to be one yard and a half in length and three-quarters of a yard in 
breadth, with strings to draw them up. The buckets and bags shall be 
nuirked with the owner's name, under penalty of twenty-five cents for 
each bucket and bag. 

Article 7. At the alarm of fire each one shall immediately repair, 
with his bucket and bags, to the dwelling hou,se, shop or store of that 
member which he believes to be most in danger, and use his best endeavors, 
l)y the direction of the owner if present, to remove and secure his goods 
and 1() return them to him again free of expense. 

A committee of three of the members were appointed at stated meet- 
ings to visit the house, shop or store of each member, examine his buckets, 
bags, etc., and report at the next meeting. The records show that on 
"1st mo. 13, 1812, Sands Wing, later a prominent citizen of Acushnet. 
])aid a fine of 50 cents, his iuickets and bag not being in their place." 

DEBT, DEATH The people who shook the dust of Plymouth off their 
AND TAXES feet and came up to this unsettled wilderness to escape 

persecution did not escape two ever present burdens — 
death and taxes. The Plymouth authorities did not forget their abode, 
neither did they forget to tax them for the support of that from which 
they received no benefits. As early as 1652 the tax rates for the "Naigh- 
bourhood att Acushena" was 10 shillings. There were very few people 
here in 1660, but a demand was made upon them for 1£. 10s., and in 1662 
the tax was more than double that of two years before, "3£. 10s.," to be 
paid in money, or wheat at "Is. pr bushel." The Naighbourhood mani- 
fested their great displeasure at taxation without any returns therefor, 
and reluctantly, if ever, paid some of the levies. People who now favor 
advertising delinquent tax payers might cite precedents like this in the 
Old Colony records: "June 5 1663. — Due in rates from Acushenah not 
yett paid 3 : 10 :00. ' ' This, it will be observed, was the tax of the previous 
year. Money was a scarce commodity, and thfe people had no idea of 
transporting the seventeen bushels of wheat required to pay the tax a dis- 
tance of thirty miles on horseback over Indian trails. 

Debt and taxes have been burdensome to this town. The Civil War 
commenced the year following the one of its incorporation. Money was 
borrowed to meet the heavy demands upon the town. We inherited at the 
division of Fairhaven as our share of the debt of that town $4,000. To 
this was soon added the bounties paid for men to fill the quota of the 
town and to aid their families, amounting to about $9,000. On Jan. 1, 



171 

1894, notes against the town amounted to $13,030. The tax payers worked 
hard to relieve themselves of this heavy load and rejoiced to hear the 
assurance of the Selectmen at the annual town meeting of 1874 that there 
was not a note held against the town and $951.21 in the treasury. 

Then came the necessity of repairing, and replacing with new struc- 
tures the dilapidated schoolhouses that the town had at its set-off from 
Fairhaven. Four houses were built, one reconstructed and the others 
thoroughly repaired, all at an expense of $10,505. The town bought four 
gravel lots, and dug four wells. In 1884 there was no debt; $1,000 in 
the treasury ; taxes only $8.00 per $1,000. 

Tax payers enjoyed the low rates that prevailed after the school- 
house construction period till the macadamizing cyclone struck the town 
in 1896, when there began another flood-tide of debt and taxes. During 
the following decade, as stated, the town borrowed on its notes more than 
$30,000, and taxes went up by leaps and bounds till they reached 
the alarming, oppressive rate of $22 per thousand dollars in 1906. 

As much of the property of the inhabitants of the town is in real 
estate, a large proportion of which is unproductive unless cultivated, and 
a class of property that cannot escape the vigilant eye of an Assessor, one 
can readily understand what a hardship such, a high rate of taxes becomes. 
At this date the great expense of maintaining the school system; of 
keeping the rapidly deteriorating macadam in repair; the slow increase 
in real estate valuations, and other taxable property is not encouraging 
to the future tax payer of the town. 

INDUSTRIES Various industries have been conducted in Acushnet 

OF THE TOWN covering a period of almost two and one half centuries. 

Grist mills and saw mills were among the earliest, and 
these with carding and fulling mills which were among the first to be 
established in this country, were driven by water, with which the town 
was fairly well provided. This is utilized to a considerable extent at the 
present time as is shown by the articles on "Acushnet river and its 
tributaries" and those that immediately follow on this subject. 

CUSHMAN'S BOX In 1874, Emery Cushman, who had been several 
FACTORY years engaged in the manufacture of packing boxes, 

was carrying on the business in a limited way in 
a shop in the rear of his dwelling house on the west side of Long Plain 
road a third of a mile north of Parting Ways, found the business had 
outgrown the accommodations for it bought the Taber Mills property 
described in an article under that heading. Here in the old mill he sawed 
his stock- for boxes which he made there till his decease in 1884, when he 
was succeeded in the business by his son, Henry W. Cushman, under 
whose efficient management it grew in magnitude and prosperity till his 



m 



death in 1904. He soon installed steam power and sawed an immense 
quantity of logs not only at the mill, but by portable mills, on tracts in 
other towns when lie liought standing wood for the purpose. The mill 
was totally destroyed by fire on the evening of August 1, 1904. This was 
a discouraging event to Mr. Cushman, but he was equal to the emergency, 
and the following morning he courageously commenced the work of recon- 
struction. 

His customers stood hy him and soon his business and facilities were 
better than before the conflagration. The business now furnishes employ- 
ment for 60 to 70 men and '25 horses. Packing l^oxes of wood of all sizes 




Photo, by A. H. McCieaiy, i'hila. 



CUSHMAN'S BOX FACTORY. 



are made here and shooks are prepared to make into boxes elsewhere. 
Since the decease of Mr. Cushman the large business, including the 
factory here and the ])ortable mills in various places, has been judiciously 
and ably managed by his widow and her two sons, now as The Henry W. 
Cushman Co., incorporated, with ]\Irs. Frances K. Cushman president and 
treasurer. One of the sons, Henry, is the agent and outside manager of 
the business and the other son, Emery, has charge of the manufacturing 
department. This business has been made a great success through the 
close attention to all its (h^tails and superior judgment in its manage- 
ment. 



173 

BLOCK FACTORY 6n the Mill Lot. at the northeast corner of the 

river and the village bridge was one of the earliest 
water power enterprises in the town. It is said to have been erected and 
in operation as early as 1707. Cotton was picked there for the cotton 
factory, which stood a few rods up the river, now the Acnshnet saw mill 
and box factory. Pumps for domestic wells and salt works were bored 
from logs, and blocks for rigging the vessels that were built in the Stetson 
and Bellville ship yards just below were made there. William Roach and 
John Wing, Jr., were interested in this business at one time. The last 
manager of manufacturing here was Benjamin Taber, who lived on the 
east side of .Mill road, the second house north of Bridge street. He 
finally gave up the business and went west, carrying the light machinery 
with him. 

Judge Nathaniel Spooner acquired the property in 1817 from Edward 
Wing since which date a grist mill was in operation 'several years. Mill- 
ing was discontinued several years ago and the building was demolished 
in 1903. Then disappeared a bind mark of almost, if not quite two cen- 
turies of existence. 

ACUSHNET Manufacturing enterprises on tiie {)resent site of ihe 

SAW MILL CO. Acnshnet Saw Mill Company's plant on the "Mill 

lot '■ have- been various. Beii^^' at a point in the river 
where there isa natural fall just before the stream widens it is the finest 
water i^rivilcgc anywhere on the river. One- of the first saw and grist 
mills in the town was erected here, also a carding, fulling and dressing 
mill, but all the persons who owned and opeMted them have not been 
ascertained. ITowc^ver. this nincli appears of,, ije'cor*^!- William Gordon, 
Jr, or his father, ('apt. William (loivlon. a ReVoMtionary hero, leased the 
property and managed it in 1818 as indicatetl in this advertisement in 
the New Bedford ^lercury : ■ 

June 26, 1818.' 
Wool Carding. 
"The subscriber hereby gives public notice that he intends carry- 
ing on the woo] carding business the ensuing season in the new build- 
ing between the grist and paper mills at the Head of Accushnett 
river; and to commence next week; being furnished with good ma- 
chinery, he flatters himself that from his experience in wool carding, 
merino and native wool and by the attention, care and punctuality he 
proposes to observe in the prosecution of his business he shall be 
enabled to give ample satisfaction to his employers." 

Wm. Gordon, Jr. 
It is stated that a man by the name of Almy was manufacturing cloth, 
batting and candle wick here in 1884; a Dillingham ran the saw mill 
about the same time, and Shadrack Davis was making nail kegs on the 
premises in 1886. The cotton industry was discontinued and Jonathan 
P. Lund bought the {)roperty al)out 1840. There was a great demand 



174 



for paper and Mr. Lund in partnership with Charles W. Morgan of New 
Bedford built a paper mill extending eastward across the stream from 
the saw mill. The saw mill, frame of the paper mill, part of the water 
wheel, bobbins and picker sticks, scraps of paper, cloth, batting, etc., 
are still there. Mr. Lund attended to manufacturing wrapping, ship 
sheathing and candle box paper and Mr. ^Morgan looked after selling the 
product. The saw mill turned out boxboards, building lumber and ship 
timber. Mr. Lund became possessor of the entire property and before 
the war gave up the paper business. Later he presented the property 
to his son Parkman M., who carried on the saw mill till 1867, when he 
sold out to Simeon and Jonathan C. Halves and N. Hervey Wilber, who 
formed a co-partnership and continued the business. Subsequently 
Simeon sold his interest to the other two, who continued till a corporation 
was formed in March 1907, with Jonathan C. Hawes, president; N. Hervey 







* %<:^S*^S^ 



Plioto. by A. H. McCreary, Phila. 
ACUSHNET SAW MILL. 

Wilber, treasurer; Frederick B. Hawes, clerk. The latter entered the 
employ of the company in 1886. He has been for several years and is 
now manager of the business. 

Extensive additions have been made from time to time to the old 
saw mill, which still occupies a conspicuous position in front of the plant. 
All the water power is utilized and in addition to this there are steam 
engines which will soon be increased by another of 225 horse power. The 
company commenced to make packing boxes in 1890, using a small part 
of the product of the little mill and employing two box makers. Now 
they iise for this purpose the production of five other saw mills, have a 
branch box factory at Fall River, Mass., and employ from seventy-iive to 



175 

» 

one hundred men. This mill is fully e(iuipped with all the modem ma- 
chinery and appliances for cheapening the work of production. 

The pond and dam at the northeast of the factory are picturesque 
spots. In viewing these one should not allow the shadow of this incident 
published in the New Bedford ]\Iercury of Aug. 28, 1807, to pass over it : 
"Drowned in the Millpond at the Head-of-the-River, Quash Russell, a man 
of color." 



WHITE'S COTTON Where the river is crossed by the present White's 
FACTORY factory road stood an extensive enterprise which 

is now known as "White's factory" as the White" 
brothers owned and managed cotton and woolen mills at this place. But 
the water power was utilized here long before these mills were erected. 
A mill dam was built soon after 1746 and in 1778 there was a "New Mill 
dam" there. In 1799 there was a saw mill here which Moses Washburn 
that year sold to William White, Sr.. with the water privileges. AVilliam 
had a knowledge of manufacturing cotton and woolen goods and bought 
this plant for the purpose of erecting a cotton mill to be run by himself 
and three of his bright, rugged industrious sous: Phineas, William and 
Benjamin. His other three sons engaged in the same business: Ansel at 
Long Plain, Ezra at Plympton, Mass.. and Stephen at South Hadley, Mass. 
Captain Joseph Whelden, a neighbor, had an interest in tlu^ business. 
They at once constructed a stone cotton mill and other buildings, erected 
dwellings for operatives and the locality became a bus\', thriving place. 
Captain Whelden sold to William White, -Jr., in 1814 his interest, the 
dam. two houses, gristmill, smw mill, dye house, cotton factory and 
machinery. 

This cotton factory stood on oi* near the present saw mill fiiid was 
burned the date of which is unknown as the business papers and books 
of the concern were burned when this mill and its "successor was con- 
sumed l)y fire. It was probably the year 1830, as it was rebuilt in 
1881, the White brothers continued the business till 1844 when they sold 
to (Sylvanus) Thomas & (William F.) Dow who it is said enlarged the 
mill and put in steam. The second factory was burned between 1854 and 
1856 and the business was discontinued. Among the products of these 
works were cotton cloth for the Fall River print works, dyeing and card- 
ing wool and fulling cloth for residents of this locality. Tradition is that 
the construction of the first mill here was commenced in 1799, which we 
assume to be correct, this was one of the very few cotton factories in the 
United States in that century. Slater's first mill, in Pawtucket, R. I., the 
only mill of any account in this county at that date, was built in 1793, and 
in 1816 only 500 bales of cotton of 300 pounds each were manufactured 
in this country. 

Samuel B. Handin bought the property and the converted ruins 



176 

have been for many years a saw mill which is now owned by James B. 
Hamlin. On a stone over the door of the mill is cut the date of its con- 
si niction. 18:^1. See pages 55 and 62. 

WHELDEN COTTON That the William White cotton factory was a 
FACTORY success is indicated by the withdrawal of 

Captain Joseph Whelden in 1814 and his building 
a larger stone mill a mile up the river, a short distance south of its junc- 
ture with Deep Brook, at once. Captain Whelden was an energetic, 
thrifty retired whaling master, and there were associated with him in 
the project (in 1818), Jol) Grey, Jr., Loum Snow, Sr., Jireh Swift and 
Jonathan Swift, under the firm name of Whelden, Swift & Co. It has not 
been ascertained when manufacturing was discontinued here. 

The last conveyance of the property was in 1866 by Sylvanus Thomas 
to the city of New Bedford in connection with the introduction of water 
taken by that city from a reservoir on the river above that point for 
domestic purposes. The vine clad ruins of the old factory are a pic- 
turesque object. 

For a numl)er of years the town voted that the highway tax on 
Whelden, Swift & Co. "s factory be permitted to be laid out on the private 
way leading to the factory. This woods road was from the Long Plain 
road on the east and the ^lill road at the west, crossing the river at the 
mill on a bridge. See page 62. 

ANSEL WHITE COTTON The fourth cotton mill on Acushnet river 
FACTORY was located almost due west from Long 

Plain village. In 1818 Ansel White, of 
White's factory fame, then 22 years of age, decided to carry on business 
alone and that year acquired the property on which a grist and saw mill 
if no other, had been in operation since 1815, on tlie south side of the wa\-. 
His success enabled him to build a stone mill liere. about 1830, it is said. 
This mill stood on the north side of the road and was used for wool card- 
ing, candle wick making, etc. It was burned and rebuilt about 1840. He 
was succeeded in the business l>y his brother, Benjamin, father of ex- 
Governor Benjamin F. White, of Montana, and Captain James Allen. 
Benjamin retired in 1857 and Captain Alien, his brother-in-law. con- 
tinued for a time. It was later let for the same purpose. The building 
was burned in 1859 and never rebuilt. When the city of New Bedford 
decided 1(> introduce watei- into the |)liicc they purchased a ti'act of three 
hundred aci'es here, including tin' ikmkI just fd)ove Ansel White's dam. 
where tlie reservoir was constructed. See page 62, 



177 

IRON MINE, BLOMARY On the Morse homestead is a lot located about 
FORGE AND MILL a half mile north of Mill road, now the prop- 

erty of William G. Taber, called the "Iron" 
lot. Here is an iron mine which was extensively worked almost two 
centuries ago and for many years thereafter. 

The south side of Mill road on Deep Brook there was in 1738 a 
blomary, the first place through which iron passes after it is melted from 
the ore, and a "forge" which signify works where iron is made malle- 
able by puddling. Slag and cinders may be seen there now. The home 
market was largely supplied for several years with iron from this plant. 
Competition caused a discontinuance of this business. A saw and grist 
mill were erected on the stream at this point and the latter has been in 
operation almost continuously till the present. Joseph and Pardon Taber 
managed these mills for some time succeeding Jacob Taber. Later the 
property came into possession of Joshua Morse, Sr., and then his sons, 
Joshua, Edward and George P. The property is now owned and man- 
aged by William G. Taber, and the product is box boards, most of which 
are shipped to Philadelphia. See page 61. 

TABER 'S MILLS About a mile north of Parting Ways and five hundred 

yards east of Long Plain road, is a pond. Its outlet 
is Meadow brook which flows westerly to the Acushnet river. Several 
of the needful industries of early days were located on this stream near 
the pond. They were here before 1750 and were known as " Taber 's 
Mills," consisting of "Fulling Mill and Smith's shop." This and the 
dwelling house which was erected about 1675 was devised to Amaziah 
Taber. Here wool was carded, cloth fulled and dressed, buttons, wheel- 
barrows, chairs and bedsteads made, grain ground and logs sawed. 

Thomas Wood, "clothier," was the last proprietor of this business 
before all the buildings except the residence were destroyed by fire. 
Amaziah devised the property to his grandson, Thomas, whom he called 
a "clothier," which occupation he probably learned of his grandfather. 
Thomas Wood continued to run the whole plant many years, when his 
sons Albert and Jabez. used the works for sawing box boards and making 
candle boxes. They changed the power from water to steam. After a 
time they gave up the business, moved to New Bedford and in 1874 the 
mill property and water privilege was sold by auction to Emery Cushman, 
of this town, box manufacturer. 

BLACKSMITH There could have been very little business for black- 
SHOPS smiths for several years after the first comers began 

their homes here. Horses and wagons and agricultural 
implements which required such a workman were few. The first shop in 
present Acushnet that appears of record to me is that of Daniel Summer- 
ton, who lived in the first house east of the Methodist church at the foot 



178 

of Meeting House hill, as early as 1755. Mr. Summerton's shop, in which 
he industriously plied his vcK-ation, stood about oiu' hundred feet east of 
the dwelling house, on the north side of Post i-oMd. A i)erson who passed 
the shop in childhood on her way from her home to the school at Parting 
Ways, told the writer she remembered the old shop. fShe said iMr. 
Summerton had a son Benjamin who worked with his father, and she 
recalled the frequent entreaty she heard from the latter as she passed the 
shop to "Blow Ben. blow!" "Ben" subsequently became a sliip master. 

In 1712 Samuel Joy had a shop on the south side of the road a little 
west of the Village l)ridge, a few feet from tln^ town line. In 1850 
Thomas Terry's shoj) stood on the west bank of the river a few feet south 
of tlu' bridge. It was consumed by fire in 1882. 

A shop now standing on the premises of Luther Heynolds has been 
occii])ied l)y him foi- his ])lacksmith business several years. It was 
formerly a grocery store of ('a])tain llum})hrey Taber Jind was moved to 
its present location on Long Plain road, the west side, about a quarter 
of a mile south of Perry Hill road. 

The principal shop at the north end stood on the east side of the road 
at Ijong Plain village about live hundred feet north of Rochester road. 
Cornelius HoAvland. mIio owned ;ind lived on the [)r(Muises where the 
shop stood, conducted the business there man\- years previous to 1899. 

Elihu Pope carried on the business many years in a shop which he 
built probably before 1840 for the purpose. It stood on the east side of 
Long Plain road opixisite his residence, a third of n mih' noi'th of Parting 
Ways. 

APOTHECARY SHOP A hundred y(>;n-s ;igo about every article 

required in the liouse, even to drugs for the 
siek could he i)urehase(l in the town. Tlu^ small building at the noi-thwest 
coi'ner of the village hi'idge w;is l)uilt for a drug store hy Bartholomew 
TalxM". the block and pinup maker, foi* his son. wlio for several 
yeai-s dispensed tliose di-eadful panaceas for all ills, cjdomel and jalu]), 
;ind sjilts and seniui. whieh were libei'ally nresci'ihed and taken with a 
hori'id disrelish which some now living well i-enieiiiber. The building was 
subsecjuently occupied many years by Shubel (Jift'ord. the village boot 
and shoe maker. The i)ost office was there at one time. 

GROCERY AND An early established business, dating back almost 

VARIETY STORES to the beginning of the settlement of the territory 

of this town was that of dealing in groceries and 
other household supi)lies. These were ])i"o])erly callecl "vari(4y'' and 
"dry goods, grocery and West India uoods" stoi'cs. In many of them 
in the eai'ly days the rum harrel and the molasses hari-el stood side by sick' 
and a customer could have either commodity and no (piestious asked. 



17!) 

Mv knowledge of the earliest existence of one of these stores is that 
owned and conducted by the Hathaway 's which as already stated was on 
Fairhaven road and burned by the British invaders in 1778. If there 
were any other stores within the borders of this town except those 
located on the Post road the writer has not been able to learn of them. 
Commencing at the bridge. John R. Davis, Jr., watch and clock maker, 
kept a variety store in connection with that business for many years 
to and nearly up to the time of his death, in the northeast corner of his 
dwelling, which was the third building east of the bridge on the south 
side of the road. 

Stephen Taber. whose wife endowed Tabor Academy at Marion, 
Mass., had a store in the lot opposite the John R. Davis. Jr. store. He 
carried on the watch and clock making business, antedating Mr. Davis 
and kept other articles for sale. He lived in the upper story of the build- 
ing which is now the rear part of the Judge Spooner house at the river 
bank on the same side of the road. Previous to this Mr. Taber had his 
store on the opposite side of the way in what was Pope's tavern. 

The present store at Parting Ways, head of Fairhaven road, was 
originally conducted by Captain David Collins, a retired whaleman. 
Then by Rev. Israel Washburn and his son, William H. Washburn. The 
latter was followed by Wilbur Kelley and he by Captain David Cochran, 
both retired from the whaling service. Charles M. Morse, Jr., then 
carried on the business there many years. Since Mr. Morse discontinued 
the business has been conducted by Fred J. Bentley. 

More than a century ago John R. Davis, Sr., who lived in the second 
house north of Mattapoisett road on the east side, had a variety store in 
connection with which he plied his trade of a watch and clock maker, as 
his son of the same name subsequently did at the village. John R., senior, 
advertised in the New Bedford jVIercury of Nov. 27. 1807, that he "con- 
tinues to Clean and Repair WATCHES at his old stand. Ilead-of-the- 
River. ' ' His shop stood at the southwest corner of Parting Ways. 

Captain Ebenezer Ellis's store stood on the west side of the road, a 
half mile below Perry Hill road. Beside dealing in a variety of articles, 
he conducted a large "slop work" business. This consisted of procuring 
from the ' ' outfitters ' ' at New Bedford clothing for whalemen, which was 
cut, and having the garments made by women at their homes. 

Captain Mason Taber had a store adjoining the tavern house at the 
head of Perry Hill road. This was about the year 1800. Most of his 
goods were transported from Boston by his own teams and the stage 
route express wagons. 

Captain Humphrey Taber had a store on the west side of Long Plain 
road, north of and very near his house, which is some two hundred feet 
north of present INIeadow brook, and is now owned by his great-grandson, 
Henry F. Taber. This building was removed many years ago, and is now 



180 

on the premises of Luther Reynolds and nsod 1)\- him for a bkcksmith 
shop. 

George Leonard had a store at Long Plain probably before 1800. It 
stood opposite the present schoolhouse. He was succeeded by Humphrey 
Davis, Jr., who discontinued the business to assist his daughters in the 
management of the Long Plain boarding school. 

Thomas Davis conducted a variety store. Avhicli stood on the west 
side of the Post road in tin- village of Long Plaiii. some two hundred feet 
north of the Peckham road. This was a century ago. It was the com- 
mcnccmcnt of a business which has coiitinously been carried on near that 
spot. Previous to the grocery business in this building it Avas occupied 
bv Thomas Davis' father. Jethro, who made furniture and other wooden 




riidlo. by .las. E. Kt-fil, Ni-" lUilfuril. 
RICHARD DAVIS- VARIETY STORE. 



articles for the home. ]Mr. Davis was succeeded by Samuel Wilde near the 
year 1830. ]\Ir. AVilde was a traveling evangelist of the Christian denomi- 
nation, and placed the business in charge of William Allen to give him 
greater freedom. Illness of Mr. Allen caused ]\Ir. AVilde to take up his 
residence at Long Plain in 18.37 and look after his business. In 1859 the 
store and goods were consumed by fire. Air. AVilde estimated his loss at 
$8,000. without insurance. Richard Davis, a native of Long Plain, suc- 
ceeded Air. Wible in llic husiiicss on the same spot. 

Alarch 1. ISOii. .Mi'. Davis look his son Ricliai-d into ])artnership, 
nndci- the lii'iii name of bichard Davis & Son. which continued till the 
decease of tlic scinor .Mr. Davis in 1S77. I^ichai-d Davis. Jr.. contiinu'd 
the business. 

Jn 1883 Air. Davis's store was entirclv destroyed by fire, caused by 



181 

overturning' a lighted lamp. He courageously arose to the occasion and 
at once secured a building that stood a little south of and directly across 
the way from the ruins, where he has carried on the business, which started 
more than one hundred years ago, ever since. Probably there is nothing 
in this Commonwealth so near in resemblance to the old-time variety 
store (minus New England rum and kindred stuff) as this successful 
business place. 

George Davis had a variety store before 1850 in a building previously 
used for recitation rooms of the Long Plain boarding school. This was 
located where the parsonage of the Methodist society now stands. Mr. 
Davis was succeeded by William Alden & Bros., who were burned out. 

Charles F. Thatcher resided at the southeast corner of Long Plain 
and Rochester roads, known as Thatcher's corner. He had a grocery 
store in an ell on the south of the dwelling. Mr. Thatcher was the first 
postmaster at Long Plain, appointed in 183-1:. The first post office was in 
this ell. the windows of which were secured every night by close board 
shutters. Thomas Davis conducted the business here at one time. 

Orin York erected a building on the next lot north of the present 
Baptist church, where he had a grocery business for a short time. The 
building was subsequently used as a wheelwright shop; later converted 
into a dwelling house, and is now the residence of Captain Isaac V. 

Braley. 

Charles M. Wilde, son of Samuel Wilde, in 1859 built and occupied 
the store on the west side of Long Plain road, about seventy-five feet 
south of the Baptist church. Ho conducted a store on the lower floor 
and a tailoring establishment on the second floor. It was vacant some 
time after he discontinued business, and was then purchased by Caleb 
Slade, who was in the grocery business there several years, till his 
removal to New Bedford, when Dennis S. INIason became proprietor of the 
property and business. j\Ir. Mason was followed by James E. Lawrence, 
who was succeeded by J. E. Borden, who is there at the present time. 

Lewis S. Pope had a small store on the east side of Mill road a few 
rods south of Acushnet saw mill, and Dea. John Chaffee one on the west 
side of the same road farther south, Capt. William Gordon and ]\Ir. Win- 
chester each had one at southwest corner of ]\Iill road and Bridge street 
and in the next building east business has been conducted by Captain 
William Gordon, John R. Davis, Cyrus E. Clark, Mary Terry and Isaac 
Anthony. 

STOVE AND TIN SHOPS :\Iost of the tinware of the kitchens of 
AND TIN PEDDLERS Acushnet a century ago was made and kept 

for sale in the village. Women had less 
time and fewer facilities for "shopping" then than now, and the kitchen 
utensils of these stores were brought to the door of the homes by tin 



182 

peddlers. These men, who were usually of the garrulous, newsy type, 
and their unique carts, filled with small articles which would not bear 
exposure to the rain, and decorated on the outside with wooden ware, 
and bags to hold the rags collected on the trip lashed to the rack at the 
rear of the vehicle, were interesting and social features of bygone days. 

Jhe tin peddler filled his cart with these household necessities, his 
head with news and taking stories and started periodically for a trip of 
days over the section assigned him. If he had a good memory he 
would repeat at each door, perhaps as rapidly as possible with a smiling 
face, the name of a score of articles he carried, and close with stating 
''and other articles too numerous to mention." He swapped his goods 
for rags wdiere they were to be had. If he was a good-natured, cheery 
man, his visits were always a pleasant event. One of the early tin shops 
of the village was that of Jonathan P. Lund at Lund's Corner, which busi- 
ness is described in a sketch of Mr. Lund's life on another page. 

INDUSTRIES ON During many of the early years of the settlement 
THE MILL LOT of the village a good deal of business was carried 

on on the east l)ank of the river north of the 
bridge on the so-called Mill Lot. The first was the block factory 
already described. Then came a tannery which was there before 1794. 
North of the tan yard was a blacksmith shop and iron forge owned and 
operated by Isaac Terry as early as 1789. Next came the saw and grist^ 
mill at the dam, which is now the plant of the Acushnet Saw Mill Co. 
No industries on the west bank of the river opposite the ones mentioned 
above ever existed. 

OTHER Various other business enterprises have been conducted 

INDUSTRIES in town, among which are the following: 

Leonard's Boat Building has been a widely known busi- 
ness since its original proprietor started it on the first of January, 1852. 
At that date Ebenezer Leonard commenced to make whaleboats for the 
New Bedford whale fishermen, and since that date more than a thousand 
of Leonard's boats have chased the leviathans of the deep in all the 
waters of the world where he swims. When the ])lubber hunter saw a 
Leonard boat on the davits or realized he had one between his feet and 
the deej) l)lu(' scji. he knew it was a staunch craft built upon honor. The 
original Leonard boat lioiisc was situated near Mr. Leonard's residence 
on Middle or Ooss road, mid here with the efficient aid of his sons, Eben 
V. nnd Charles ¥.. he constructed l)etween 1851 and 1883 thirty-one years, 
972 l)oats. about thirty-three per annum. The most they manufactured 
in ;iny one of these years avms fifty-thr(M' in L*^57. Since the decease of 
Ml-. Leonard Ihc ])usiness has been conducted by iiis sons, named above. 
The sho}) ust'd for many years was burned. The work is now done in the 



183 

Joseph Taber house on the south side of the same road, farther west. 

Grist Mills were in use in various parts of the town for the purpose 
of grinding the crops of grain raised here, till it bceanic less expensive to 
buy the material that had been ground elsewhere. The first of these were 
propelled by wind. One such in this town was located on the high land 
at the southwest of Parting Ways. Later mills for this work were driven 
by water power. There was one or more on every stream that furnished 
sufficient energy. Probably the last one of those to bo built was on the 
brook that crosses Fairhaven road. The stream was dammed between the 
highway and the river. Lettice Washburn, who owned the property, 
constructed the mill about the year 1861, and operated it several years. 
It stood a little northwest of the present home of Arthur C. Cory. 

A Wax Factory was established in by Charles S. Knowles of New 

Bedford on Fairhaven road. The building stood on the west side of the 
way, very near the spot where the Edward Pope house was that the 
British burned in 1778. The business was a success, but was interrupted 
by the destruction of the factory by fire in 1901. The enterprise was 
continued in a larger building constructed for the purpose on the west 
side of the river, which also was burned in 1903, and was rebuilt on the 
same spot. Charles PI Beales has been manager of the business from its 
beginning. 

Tan yards were found in every town a century ago, wheii all the 
leather for harnesses, trunks, boots and shoes, machine belts, etc., was a 
home product. All the beef consumed at the tables of a community was 
of animals raised and slaughtered on the farm, and the leather used was 
the hides of these creatures prepared for use at the neighborhood tan- 
neries. An abundance of water was required at the tan vats and they 
were located where there was a good supply. There was a tan yard 
north oi" the bridge, over a stream a few yards south of the house on the 
Benjamin White place, on the east side of ]\Iill road near Potter's corner, 
as appears from a lease dated 1775 from Anne Taber, widow of Jethro 
Taber, and daughter of Peter Taber, who lived east of this spot and an 
eighth of a mile west of the Long Plain road. The lease covers "all that 
parcel of land within fence, together with y*' Tan Yard." This was known 
as the Taber tan yard. Another tannery was situated on the north side 
of the road in the village, beside the brook that crosses the highway 
west of the Methodist church. It was made and the business carried on 
by Seth Bumpus, who removed from the place in 1820. Mr. Bumpus 
owned the farm. Tie advertised for hides in the New Bedford Mercury 
of Feb. 19, 1808. 

Another tannery adjoined the stream that crosses Acushnet avenue 
a quarter of a mile north of Lund's corner. It was located on the west 
side of the way. Shadrack Davis operated a shingle mill here three quar- 
ters of a century ago, owning the property Avhieh included one and a 



184 

quarter acres of land. Mr. Davis sold the plant in 1837 to Lemuel 
Russell, who deeded it to his son Allen the following year. Allen Russell 
continued the business till Augustus Harrington became possessor of it. 
Mr. Harrington established a tannery there, managing it in connection 
with one he owned located at Whelden brook, Middle road. 

Wheelwright. When William H. Washburn was in the grocery busi- 
ness at Parting Ways he transformed an ell attached to the main building 
at the eastward into a carriage shop, where he built and repaired vehicles, 
having learned the trade of George L. Brownell at New Bedford, one of 
the best known and most successful wheelwrights of his day. 

Furniture Manufacturing on a small scale was carried on by Capt. 
Reuben Swift, cabinet maker, in a building near the dwelling house of 
Capt. Obed Nye, Fairhaven road. In the early days all the household 
furniture; farming tools and implements for weaving cloth were home 
made and there were men in every community who manufactured these, 
usually in a shop on their premises. There were several of these in this 
section. 

A saw mill not heretofore mentioned was the Taber mill in the 
immediate vicinity of the Taber tan yard, near where the stream crosses 
the way that leads from Mill road to the present home of Capt. George J. 
Parker. In a deed from Zacheus Tobey, Jr., to Benjamin White in 1777, 
the "southeast corner bound is the middle of the Acushnet river at 
Taber 's saw mill." Again in 1777 Elnathan Tobey 's deed to William 
Tallman mentions a mill dam. In 1795 William Tallman conveyed to 
Earl and Potter land "bounded by s*^ river northerly untill it comes to 
ye saw mill dam owned formerly^ by Peter Taber." Sawdust and evi- 
dence of the dam are there now. 

ACUSHNET For one hundred years after the incorporation of 

IN THE LEAD ancient Dartmouth, 1664, this Acushnet tract took the 

lead of every other section of the town in settlement 
and development. It furnished superior water power for manufacturing 
to any other locality in old Dartmouth, and this was of inestimable value 
to these homes, when every article used in them and on the farms had to 
be manufactured and prepared for use near by. The prospectors of the 
settlement saw the advantage in this particular of this corner of the 
original purchase over the balance of the tract, and laid the foundations 
of their homes here near the upper section of the Acushnet river. 

And on this stream and its tributaries were established many of the 
above important and needful industries before 1761, when the first house 
was built in what was subsequently Bedford village, a little south of the 
corner of Union and Water streets. Before 1767, when the first ship, the 
Dartmouth, built at that village, was launched. Before Fairhaven village 
showed any signs of ever existing. The few inhabitants of the territory 



185 

that is now New Bedford and Fairhaven came up to Acushnet for iron to 
use in their blacksmith shops, for wick with which to make their tallow 
dips; for house furniture, wheelbarrows and other similar articles; to 
have their wool dyed and carded, and the cloth they wove fulled and 
dressed; to attend religious services. Anyone who will make investiga- 
tion will be convinced that during the century above referred to Acushnet 
had a far greater number and variety of manufacturing industries and 
other business enterprises, a larger population and more houses of worship 
than any other section of the same area in Old Dartmouth. The flood 
tide of manufacturing interests here was reached when Joseph Kotch of 
Nantucket made his first purchase of land at Bedford Village in 1765, with 
the purpose of moving there and establishing whalefishery. in which he 
was so successfully engaged at the island. This was an important event 
in the history of the Dartmouth purchase. Joseph Russell was already 
engaged in the same business in a small way, and the two Josephs, both 
of whom were honorable-minded, industrious, enterprising men, made a 
strong pair. They at once inspired confidence in their /mdertakings, and 
Bedford, Fairhaven and Padanaram started into rapid growth under the 
leadership of these well-balanced men. This prosperity, however, did not 
effect the business of Acushnet unfavorably for some length of time, for 
the above localities had no water power and they depended on Acushnet 
for much of their ship timber and plank and other needful articles that 
required water power to manufacture them. 

NEW BEDFORD'S New Bedford's first supply of water from out of 
FIRST DOMESTIC town for domestic purposes was led into the city 
WATER SUPPLY through a conduit laid to source of supply, a short 

distance west of Long Plain. The storage reservoir 
there covers about 400 acres. It was a part of the Wilson farm and the 
location is a delightful and picturesque one. The dam to form this im- 
pounding reservoir of the Acushnet Water Works is forty feet above sea 
level and seven miles from New Bedford. The reservoir is two and a 
half miles long and from one eighth to one half mile wide, having a 
storage capacity of four hundred million gallons of water. It receives 
the drainage of a tract of between three thousand and four thousand acres 
besides an inlet from Aquitticus lake, the most southerly of the chain 
of lakes known as the Middleboro ponds, through Squin brook, which 
has a romantic name and flows through a romantic location. The brook 
is named for Tispaquin, son-in-law of Massasoit and brother-in-law of 
King Philip. He was sachem of the Assawampsetts, now Lakeville. 
He was in favor of the extermination of the English in King Philip's 
war, but was finally captured by them and shot. Subsequently his 
daughter became a teacher of Indians and was on friendly terms with the 
white settlers. 



186 

CENSUS OF Tli(' following table explains itself and will ho found in- 
THE TOWN teresting to citizens of the town and useful for reference. 





Population 


0/ 

o ™ 

■ "Sd 

" c 
-- o 

o n 


O 

2d 

O V 


Total Tax for 
State, County. 
City and Town 
Purposes 


• 

Rate of total 
Tax per $100 


_o 

-t-i 
d 

d+^ 


1861, 


1,387 


$303,750 


$441,000 


$ 6,656.27 


$0.80 


$744,750 


1862, 




211,400 


444,150 


6,664.65 


0.90 


655,550 


1863, 




209,550 


452,900 


8,053.26 


1.12 


662,450 


1864, 




162,950 


467,950 


10,040.00 


1.50 


630,900 


1865, 


1,251 


168,300 


466,850 


10,879.09 


1.65 


635,150 


1870, 


1,132 


219,150 


459,900 


10,063.00 


1.40 


679.050 


1875, 


1,059 


122,500 


446,750 


9,063.00 


1.50 


569,250 


1880, 


1,105 


126,100 


455,900 


5,212.00 


0.80 


582,000 


1885, 


1,071 


156,450 


474,750 


5,558.00 


0.80 


631,200 


1890, 


1,027 


129,130 


473,430 


7,301.00 


1.13 


602,560 


1895, 


1,115 


117,950 


511,020 


6,830.00 


1.00 


628,970 


1900, 


1,221 


119,930 


531,070 


13,576.00 


2.00 


651,000 


1905, 


1,284 


134,550 


546,700 


12,881.00 


1.80 


681,250 



The lowest tax rate in the hi.story of the town was $ .64 in 1884: the 
highest $2.20 in 11)06. 



REVOLUTIONARY From the records of Revolutionary War soldiers in 
WAR SOLDIERS the office of the Secretary of State at the Massa- 
chusetts State House the following interesting facts 
in regfird to the services of some of our townsmen in that war have been 
gathered and are given below. More in regard to the lives of some of 
these heroic men will be fouiui on subsequent pages: 

Edward Pope. Official record of a ballot of the House of Represen- 
tatives, dated Feb. 7. 1770: said Pope chosen Colonel. 2d Bristol Co. regt., 
of Mass. militia: appointment concurred in by Council Feb. 8, 1776; re- 
ported commissioned Feb. 8. 1776: also, list of officers chosen in 2d Bristol 
Co. regt. of ]\rass. militia, as returned by said Pope and others, field 
officers, dated April o. 1776: also. Colonel. 2d Bristol Co. regt.; report 
dated July 9, 1770. of a meeting held by the 15th co. to choose a Captain 
and 1st Lieutenant who were recommended for commissions ])y said Pope: 
also, return dated Aug. 8. 1776. of officers of a company drafted from said 
Pope's regt. and Col. (Jeorge AVilliams's (Bristol Co.) regt. to march 
to Dorchester Heights, agreeable to resolve of Jnly 18. 1776. who were ap- 
poitiled by said Pojx' and Held otticers of bolli regiments: also, official 
record oT a ballot by the House of Representatives, dated Nov. 2'A. 1776: 
said Pope chosen Naval Officer for the port of Dartmouth: appointment 
concurred in by Council Nov. 27. 1776: also Colonel 2d Bristol Co. regt., 
marched Dec. 8, 177(i: regiment niai'idied to lihode Island on an alarm. 



187 

Colonel Pope was chosen naval officer for the port of Dartmouth for the 
ensuing" year by the House of Representatives Jan. 24, 1778. He con- 
tinued to serve in this important capacity until Jan. 1, 1781. 

Reuben Swift. Corporal, Capt. Joseph Palmer's co.. Col. Free- 
man's regt. ; service 4 days; company marched on alarms at Falmouth 
Feb. 4, April 2, and May 16, 1779 ; roll sworn to in Barnstable Co. ; also, 
Private, in a company raised by vote of the town of Falmouth, Barnstable 
Co., to guard the shore ; enlisted July 20, 1781 ; discharged Sept. 28, 1781 ; 
service 2 mos., 8 days; warrant for pay drawn in favor of Selectmen of 
Falmouth. This was Captain Reuben Swift of the War of 1812. 

"Jire" Swift. Capt. Thomas Crandon's company. Col. -John Hath- 
away 's regt.; entered service Aug. 2, 1780; discharged Aug. 8, 1780; ser- 
vice 6 days on an alarm from Rhode Island. 

Elisha Tobey. Private, Capt. Thomas Crandon's co.. Col. John 
Hathaway 's regt.; entered service Aug. 2, 1780: discharged Aug. 8, 1780; 
service 6 days, on an alarm from Rhode Island. 

There was another Elisha Tobey, whose certificate was dated in 
Rochester. He was in Capt. Isaac Pope's company of Rochester in 1778. 

Thomas Crandon. Captain of a Seacoast co. ; engaged July 15, 1775 ; 
service 5 mos., 19 days; also, Captain, Col. John Hathaway 's regt. ; entered 
service Aug. 2, 1780 ; discharged Aug. 8, 1780 ; service 6 days, at Rhode 
Island on an alarm; also, Captain, 5th co., 2cl Bristol Co. regt.; list of 
officers of Mass. militia, commissioned Aug. 10, 1779. 

Thomas Crandon, Jr., Dartmouth. Private, Capt. Daniel Egery's co. 
of Minute-men, which marched April 21, 1775, in response to the alarm of 
April 19, 1775 ; service 5 days ; also, list of men who marched from Dart- 
mouth to camp, under command of Capt. Benjamin Dillingham, and 
arrived there Feb. 15. 1776. 

Benjamin Dillingham, Dartnu)uth. Sergeant, Capt. Thomas Cran- 
don's (Seacoast) co. ; enlisted July 25, 1775; service 5 mos. 9 days; also. 
Captain; list of men who marched from Dartmouth to camp under com- 
mand of said Dillingham and arrived there Feb. 15, 1776; also. Captain, 
Col. Jacob French's regt., raised in Bristol and Cumberland counties and 
stationed at Winter Hill, Feb. 27, 1776; company raised in Dartmouth; 
ordered in Council March 26, 1776, that commission be issued; reported 
commissioned March 13, 1776 ; also, official record of a ballot by the 
House of Representatives dated March 28, 1776 ; said Dillingham chosen 
Captain of the force stationed at Dartmouth ; appointment concurred in by 
Council March 29, 1776 ; reported commissioned March 28, 1776 ; also. 
Captain of a company stationed on the seacoast at Dartmouth ; engaged 
April 4, 1776 ; service 8 mos. ; also, Captain ; list of officers of a company 
to be raised in Dartmouth and stationed there ; ordered in Council Dec. 11, 
1776, that said officers be commissioned; reported commissioned Dec. 
11, 1776. 



188 

Capt. Perez dishing was captain of the first company of Col. Paul 
Revere 's Artillery regt. 

James Metcalf was orioinally a gunner in Capt. Perez dishing 's 
company. Later was boml)arder of Capt. Cnsliing's company, Crafts's 
regt. No service mentioned after May 8, 1777. 

James Cushing was matross Capt. Perez Cashing 's company,, (V)l. 
Revere 's First Artillery. Last date is 1780. Perez Cushing served con- 
tinuously from 1776 to 1780. 

William Gordon. Conductor, Col. Thomas Crafts's (Artillery) regt.; 
list of olticers to be commissioned, as returned by Col. Crafts, dated Bos- 
ton, Sept. 27, 1776; ordered in Council Oct. 10, 1776. that said officers be 
commissioned : also, Conductor, same regt. ; engaged May 9, 1776 ; service 
to Nov. 1. 1776, 5 mos. 23 days; also, Conductor or Lieutenant of Fire- 
workers, same regt.; service fi'oni Nov. 1, 1776, to Feb. 1, 1777, 3 mos.; 
reported as serving 1 mo. in Colony service, 2 mos. in Continental service; 
also, Clerk, same regt. ; service from Feb. 1, 1777, to May 8, 1777, 3 mos. 
7 days; also, 2d Lieutenant Capt. Winthrop Gray's (3d) co. Col. Thomas 
Ci-afts's (Artillery) regt.; service from time of enlistment to Oct. 1, 1777, 
4 mos. 25 days; also. Lieutenant, petition dated Boston. Feb. 26, 1779, 
signed by said Gordon and others, officers of Col. Crafts's regt., asking 
that their resignations be accepted as the Legislature had failed to redress 
their grievances ; resignations accepted in Council Feb. 26, 1779 ; also, 
Lieutenant, Col. Revere 's regt.; Continental Army pay accounts for ser- 
vice from May 8, 1777, to Dec. 31, 1779 ; also, return of rations, etc., 
delivered officers of Lieut. Col. Paul Revere 's train of Artillery dated 
Castle Island. April 17, 1779; said Gordon credited with 7 days' allow- 
ance ; also, returns of i)rovisions delivered officers and men of Lieut. Col. 
Paul Revere 's train of Artillery, dated Castle Island, April 24. and June 
5, 1779; provisions allowed said Gordon from Feb. 1, 1779, to April 30, 

1779, 89 days; also, 1st Lieutenant, Capt. Perez Cushing's (1st) co., Lieut. 
Col. Paul Revere 's cor]is of Artillery; service from Jan. 1. 1780, to May 8, 

1780, 4 mos. 8 days; roll dated Boston: also. Lieutenant; abstract of 
wages for January, 1780. due said Gordon's detachment of Artillery for 
service at Dartmouth; also, 1st Lieutenant, Capt. Amos Lincoln's co. of 
matrosses raised agreeable to resolve of April 27. 1780; list of officers; 
commissioned April 29, 1780: also, 1st Lieutenant, Capt. Amos Lincoln's 
(matross) co. ; engaged May 8, 1780; discharged Aug. 1. 1783: service 38 
mos. 24 days. 

The three last mentioned persons were the officers of the battery of 
Light Artillery which, with local volunteers, endeavored to resist the 
passage of the river at our village by the 4,000 British invaders of 1778. 
resulting in what the writer has already stated, the Battle of Acushnet 
Bridge. Capt. James Cushing returned to his home near Boston ; Lieut. 
James Metcalf was buried soon after this battle where he was mortally 



189 

wonnded, in Aciishnet soil, and Capt. William Gordon did not return to 
his home to live, but passed the remainder of a long and useful life in this 
town. 

The record of Spooners of Acushnet in the military service of the 
Revolutionary War is a remarkable one. The writer believes that more 
persons of one surname were in the war for our independence of British 
sovereignty who were natives of the little town of Acushnet than served 
therein from any other one town in the country. That name was Spooner. 
A spirit of patriotism, lo,yalty and courage was predominant in that 
generation of the Spooners of this town. These soldiers were all descend- 
ants of John Spooner, who was among the earliest land owners and 
inhabitants here. Of the more than a score of native born Spooners of 
the territory of present Acushnet in the service, were : 

Simpson Spooner marched to the relief of Lexington, April 21, 1775. 

Caleb Spooner was made a prisoner of war during the Revolution 
and returned on the cartel "Swift" from Halifax in 1777. 

Seth Spooner enli.sted in August, 1780, in Capt. Thomas Crandon's 
company, and had other service. 

Thomas Spooner was at the battle of Bunker TTill, and at New York 
when the British forces occupied that cit}' in 177(). 

John Spooner was a Minute Man of April 21, 1775. Later he was 
in Capt. Thomas Kempton's and other companies. 

i\licah Spooner responded to the Lexington alarm in 1775, and in 178U 
was in Capt. Thonuis Crandon's company. 

Philip Spooner .served in the same companies with his brother 
Micah above. ' 

Samuel Spooner enlisted as Private in Captain Mana.sseh Kempton's 
company, and was Sergeant of Capt. Sanuiel Tubl)'s cumjjauy of Col. 
Timothy Walker's regiment. 

James Spooner was in Capt. Benjamin Dillingham's company; later 
in Capt. Thomas Kempton 's company, and afterwards in other companies. 
He served in the French and Indian war, when he was in Capt. James 
Andrews's company. 

Benjamin Spooner was a drummer of Dartmouth Minute Men who 
marched to the relief of Lexington, April 21, 1775. Later he was in Col. 
Denny's regiment on the Hudson river. 

John Spooner was a Sergeant in Capt. Manasseh Kempton's company 
in 1777, and a Corporal in Capt. Perez Cushing's company the next year. 

Benjamin Spooner was a Sergeant of Capt. Amos Washburn's com- 
pany of Col. Ebenezer Sprout's regiment. 

Jeremiah Spooner was in Capt. Henry Jenney's company of the 2d 
regiment, Bristol Co. Vol., Col. John Hathaway. 

Bigford Spooner was one of Capt. Samuel Reed's company, which 



190 

"marched to the Jerseys" in 1776. He w;is jilso in ('apt. B. Woodbury's 
eompany. 

Kug'gles Snooiier was in the French and Indian war in 1757. Also 
in the Revolutionary War. 

Lemuel Spooner w^as killed in the service. 

Gardner Spooner served in the companies of Capt. Thomas Crandon 
and Capt. Benjamin Dillingham of this town. 

Nathaniel Spooner was in the Privateer service: was taken prisoner 
on the "Hope;" exchanged in 1777. Later entered the service, where he 
continued for some time. 

Ward Spooner was one of the ^Minute ]\Ien of April 21, 1775. 

William Spooner was in Capt. James Lincoln's company. He served 
nearly three years in the war. 

Zoeth Spooner served in Capt. Daniel Drake's company in Col. 
Drury's regiment. They were on the North river in 1781. 

Benjamin Spooner was on the rolls of Lieut. Jackson's company, 
July 9, 1780. 

Samuel Spooner served in Capt. Henry Jenney's company of Col. 
John Hathaway 's regiment. 

Of the Spooners in. the service whose fathers were natives of the tract 
which is now Acushnet, there were Micah, Thomas, Ebenezer. AVilliam, 
Alden, Charles, »Sanuiel. Thomas. Jeduthan, Cornelius, Ruggles, Wing, 
Charles, Clapp. Stevens, Benjamin. Uriah. Walter. Daniel, Eliakim. 
Wing, and Shearjashub. The last four were sons of Deacon Daniel and 
his father was Sanniel S])ooner, whose homestead was bounded on the 
north ])y the east and west road through Acushnet village. Also 
Zepheniah. Samuel, Thomas and Charles, four sons of Amaziah and Lydia 
(Fay) Spooner. 

These persons who had S])ooner mothers were in the service : Daniel. 
Timothy and Edwai-d Ruggles. sons of Lucy Spooner and Edward 
Ruggles; John, Zepheniali and Elnathan Jenney. sons of Abigail S})ooner 
and John Jenney. 

Walter, above, was son of John Spooner and his wife Avho was Beulah 
Spooner, served as an officer with Commodore John Paul Jones. In 1776 
they captured the brigantine "Active." Conniiodorc Jones then issued 
the following order: 

"Ship Alford. 12 Nov.. 1776. 

Oft' the Coast of Cape Breton. 
"Sir: — Yon are hereby appointed commander of our prize, 
the lirigantine 'Active' from Liverpool to Halifax. You are 
directed to ])r()('ee(l with all possible dispatch foi- tlu^ State of North 
Carolina, and (h'liver your charge (the brigantine Active with my 
letters) witli Ricluird Smith, the agent at Edenton. I request yon 
1o l)e very careful to keep a good lookout to prevent your being 
sui'prised or retaken ; and must l)y no means break' bulk', oi- destroy 
any part of the cargo or stores, except what may he ahsolutel.\- nee- 



essary for your subsistence duriiio- your passag-e. If you find it 
impossible to reaeh and ^et into North Carolina, you are at liberty to 
«io into any other of the V. S. of N. A. I wish you a safe and speedy 
passage, and am. Sir. your most obedient and humble 

JOHN PAUL JONES. 

"To Mr. Walter Spooner. Lieut, of the .ship of war. the " Alford" 

and commander of the "Alford's" prize, the brigantine "Active." 

"N. B. — When oft' the bar Orkicock. you are to hoist the jack or 

ensign under port of your jib boom, as a signal for a pilot, and hoist 

your ensign Union down." 

Lieutenant Spooner sailed his prize into the harbor of Newport, R. I., 
where he resided, thirteen days after the date of the above order. 

The names of other Acushnet men Avho were in the ranks of the 
Continental army appear in the company rolls on other pages of this woi'k. 



ROLL OF HONOR OF My endeavor to prepare for this book 

SOLDIERS AND SAILORS a list of all the men of the Civil War who 
OF THE CIVIL WAR went from Acushnet or were credited to 

the cpiota of this town, with even a brief 
word of their service, has been very discouraging and unsatisfactory, large- 
ly from the failure of relatives and friends of these self-sacrificing men to 
co-oi)erate with me. There is nothing in the records of this town to aid one 
in this work except a list of names opposite some of which is given a com- 
pany and regiment. Little of dates of enlistment and discharge; whether 
volunteers. t)r drafted, or substitutes: of what town they were natives or 
residents or to what one they Avere credited. Surprisingly few responses 
have l)een received to my advertisements for information in regard to the 
lives and army and navy service of these men. Much research of state. 
toAvn ami home records has l)een expended in obtaining what little is stated 
below, which is ])resented with regrets at my inabilit\- to give more of the 
story of courageous deeds and the hardships and sufferings of these, my 
comrades — these Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War. 

"The eternal camping ground" has been reached by most of those 
men, who. with the few of the list that remain, dared to face the foemen 
of our Union in the years of its extremity and assisted to accomplish the 
result of the furious struggle of 1861-65. They merit all that is implied 
in these lines of the poet : 

O. men of the nation ! O, men of the blue ! 
Out from the heart comes a requiem for you: 
From hill top and valley, from prairie and sea. 
The shout of the millions. One Nation Are We : 

No more may war's reveille open the clay. 

But peace wreathe her chaplet forever and aye. 

Nearly, if not (juite all. of the men in the following list were in some 
way related to this town, either by birth or at some time residents or 



192 

served in the Civil War to its credit. Many of them were natives of 
the town : 

Bearse. Clarence A., Co. D, 47th Mass. Inf. Mustered in Sept 20, 
1862. Discharged Sept. 1, 1863, at expiration of service. 

Bennett, Francis F., Co. A, 7th Mass. Inf. Mustered in June 15, 1861. 
Discharged June 7, 1864, at expiration of service as Sergeant. 

Bisbee, George D., Co. G, 28th Mass. Inf. .Enlisted Aug. 21, 1862. 
Discharged June 30. as a Sergeant, at expiration of service. 

Braley, Albert (K, Co. H, 38th Mass. Inf. Mustered in Aug. 21, 1862. 
Mustered out Nov. 1, 1864, to accept a commission as 2nd Lieut., 1st 
Louisiana ( 'avalry, from which he was discharged Dee. 18, 1865, at the end 
of tlie war. 

Braley, Savory C, Co. D., 47th Inf. Mustered in Sept. 20, 1862. Dis- 
charged as Sergeant Sept. 1, 1863, at expiration of service. Sergt. Co. 
A, 3d Mass. Cavalry. Mustered in March 2, 1865, Discharged Sept. 
28, 1865. 

Brooks, Arthur E., Co. H, 38th Mass. Inf. IMustered in Aug. 21, 1862. 
Discharged June 30, 1865. expiration of service. 

Caswell, David P., Co. D. 47th Mass. Inf. Mustered in Sept. 20, 1862. 
Discharged Sept. 1, 1863, at expiration of service. 

Caswell. Lyman, Co. F, 29th Mass. Inf. Mustered in Dee. 2, 1861. 
Discharged Oct. 22, 1862, to enlist in U. S. Army. 

Cole. Andrew A.. Co. I). 18th Mass. Inf. Enlisted July 13, 1862. Died 
Feb. (i. 1863. at Point Lookout, Md. 

Collins. John W., Co. A, 33d Mass. Inf. ^Musician. IMustered in 
Aug. 9, 1862. Discharged April 13, 1864, on account of disability. 

Gushing. William B., Co. F, 3d ]\Iass. Inf. Mustered in Sept. 23, 
1862. Discharged June 26, 1863, at expiration of service. 

Ellis, John. Co. F, 3d Mass. Inf. Date of muster Sept. 23, 1862. Dis- 
charged June 26, 1863, at expiration of service. 

Fox, George S., Co. K, 4th ]\Iass. Inf. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862. 
Discharged Aug. 28, 1863, at expiration of service. 

Gibbs, George, Co. F, 33d Mass. Inf. Mustered in Aug. 5, 1862. Dis- 
charged June 11. 1865, at expiration of service. 

Hughes, Thomas, 5th Mass. Light Batter}-, enlisted March 1, 1865. 
Discharged June 12, 1865. 

Holmes. Ebenezer, Co. A, 3d Mass, Cav. Enlisted Jan. 14, 1864. 
Discharged Feb. 17, 1864. 

Leavitt, Robert E., enlisted Feb. 24, 1864, as Corporal Co. A. 3d Cav.. 
and discharged at ex])iration of service Sept. 28, 1865. 

Morse. Artemns, Co. D, 3d ]\Iass. Inf. Mustered in Oct. 15, 1861. 
Discharged Oct. 14, 1862, disability. 

Ocsting. AVilliam. Co. I, 33d :\rass. Inf. Enlisted Aug. 5, 1862. Dis- 
charged A])ril !). L'^()3. Disability. 

Page, ]\Ias()n AV., enlisted Oct. 1, 1861, Sergeant, 5th Mass. Battery; 



193 

discharged Dee. 11, 18(53; was commissioned 2iid Lieut, of same battery 
to date Dec. 12, 1863, and mustered out on expiration of service, June 
12, 1865. 

Peckham, Jason S., Co. H, 38th Mass. Inf. Mustered in Aug-. 21, 
1862. Died May 18, 1863, in a hospital at New Orleans, La. 

Pierce, Alexander 0., Co. F, 3d Mass. Inf. Mustered in Sept. 23, 
1862. Discharged June 26, 1863, at expiration of service. 

Pierce, David B., 5th Mass. Battery. Mustered in Oct. 3, 1861. Dis- 
charged Feb. 1, 1864, to re-enlist in same battery. Mustered out July 
5, 1865. 

Pierce, George, Co. F, 29th Mass. Inf. Mustered in Jan. 2, 186-4. Dis- 
charged July 29, 1865, at expiration of service as Sergeant. 

Pierce, John W., Co. E, 3d Mass. Inf. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862. Dis- 
charged June 26, 1863, at expiration of service. 

Pierce, Samuel, Co. D, 23d Mass. Inf. Mustered in Oct. 26, 1861. 
Discharged May 21, 1863. Disability. Re-enlisted in 2nd Mass. Heavy 
Art. l\Iustered in Oct. 5, 1863. Transferred to U. S. Navy May 18, 1864. 

Pittsley, Levi M., Co. H, 38th Mass. Inf. Mustered in Aug. 21, 1862. 
Discharged June 13, 1865, by order of the War Department. Levi M. was 
a prisoner of war several months. 

Pittsley, William, Co. H, 38th Mass. Vols. Mustered in Aug. 21, 1862. 
Died in hospital at New Orleans June 18, 1863. 

Potter, Thomas, Jr., Co. F, 3d Mass. Inf. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862. 
Discharged June 26, 1863, at expiration of service. 

Robertson, Charles E., Co. F, 29th Mass. Inf. Mustered in Dec. 9, 

1861. Discharged Jan. 1, 1864, to re-enlist. 

Simmons, Jeptha W., Co. H, 38th Mass. Mustered in Aug. 21, 

1862. Transferred to U. S. Navy Aug. 1, 1864. 

Purrington, Clarence L., Co. G, 11th U. S. Infantry. Enlisted Oct. 18, 
1861. Discharged Aug. 29, 1862, for disability contracted at the siege of 
Yorktown. 

Smith, Darnel V.", Co. B., 18th Mass. Inf. Enlisted Sept. 2, 1861. Dis- 
charged Feb. 25, 1862, for disability caused by a tree which he was chop- 
ping down falling upon him. He recovered, however, and re-enlisted Sept. 
22, 1862, as Sergeant of Co. D., 47th. Discharged Sept. 1, 1863, at ex- 
piration of service. 

Spooner, Alden, Co. E, 18th Mass Inf. Mustered in Aug. 12, 1862. 
Discharged Jan. 1, 1864. to re-enlist in same regiment. He was trans- 
ferred Oct. 26, 1864, to Co. K, 32d ]\Iass. Inf. 

Spooner, Joseph S., Co. F, 3d Mass. Inf. Mustered in Sept. 23, 1862. 
Discharged June 26, 1863, at expiration of service. 

Spooner, Lyman, Co. E, 3d Mass. Inf. Mustered in Aug. 12, 1862. 
Killed June 3d, 1864, at Bethesda Chiirch, Va. 

Stone, John, Co. A, 33d Mass. Inf. Mustered in Aug. 9, 1863, Dis- 
charged Jan. 11. 1865, at expiration of service. 



194 

Tabcr, Ilovvland L.. Co. A. 3d Mass. Cav. Enlisted Feb. 24. 1803. 
Died June 15, 18(53, at New Orleans, La. 

Taber. Tlieodore A.. Co. G, 3d IMass. Iiit'. Miisleivd in Sept. L'l. lS(i2. 
Discharged -luiie 26, 1863, at expiration of service. 

Washbiini, Albert G. (See bio,yTai)liy.j 

Washburn. Israel. (See biography.) 

AVashi)iii-n. William II., Co. F, 3d Mass. int. .Must.T.-d in Sept. 23. 
1862. Discharged 4iiiie 26. 1863, at expiration of service. 

Wright. Zaeheus II., Co. F. 3d Mass. Inf. Mustered in Sept. 23. 1862. 
Discharged as (,'orporal June 26. 1863. at expiration oi service. 

SAILORS. 

iiraley. (leorge F.. U. S. Navy, after Ann\ service, jind w.-is nii llie 
r. S. S. ( 'orniibcc and l*;niipeo. 

I>i-ab'\-. Isaac \'. (Sec biogi'a |)h\-.) 

Units, -jonalliaii I).. V. S. Xavy. on ('. S. S. I.dddna. 

Dillingliani. Lciiiiu'l. Xavy. T. S. S. Genisbok and X'andcrbill . 

(iracie. William S.. Xavy. U. S. S. New In)nsides. 

Mandell. August us 11.. Xavy. T". S. S. Congress when slu^ was sinik. 
and gunboat Tioga. 

i'icrce, Saunicl. C S. Xavy. Died in the service, 'rrai.slcrred iVoiii 
2nd Mass. Heavy Ai-t. May. 1864. 

l*iei-ce. Waltei- A.. Xav.w ('. S. S. Flag, and on the Congi'ess when slit- 
was sunk. 

l*ittslc\-. Ki-aiicis. .jr.. Xavy. On l'. S. S. Ilaiiloi-d. .Xnrth Cai'olina 
and Princeton. 

ricfce. Samuel, in 1'. S. Xavy. 

Pui'i'ington. Hiram S., \^tl. Xavy. Enlisted as a 'Mii-st class boy." 
and serveil till he was 21 years of age. Was on Sloop of War ^Marion. 

Sinunons. .Ie|)tlia W. In the V. S. Xav.w Tran.sferred from Co. 11. 
38th Mass. Inf.. Aug. 1. 18(i4. Sei'ved on the Hartford. Xorth Carolina 
and IM'inceton. 

Tinkham. George C. Enlisted .\iig. 20. lS(i2. 1 )iseliai-i:('(l foi- dis- 
aliility Dee. 18. 1862. Served on V. S. S. Ohio. Princeton and Congress. 
Was on ttie ('ongi'css when she was sunk by ilie Confederate Xavy. .Mr 
'riiikliam was i)oi'n at Acushnet Jiuie 25. 1842. Was an ai'chitect aftei" the 
war. Died .Inly 15. 1887. 

Whiting. George D.. gunboat Chueora. 

The family of Fi-ancis and wife, Lucinda Pitlsley. of this town fur- 
nishes a remai'kablc and intei'csting history of saci-itice and soldiei'l\' dut \'. 
All the sons and sons-indaw of Mi-, and Mrs. Pittsley wei-e in the Civil 
War and made an honored record there. They consisted of h'rancis. dr.. 
Levi M. and William Pittsley. dason Peckham and -leptha W. Simmons. 
Neither (d' these men were ali\e in 1!)()6. 



195 



WHALING MASTERS AciishiK-t has pi-ohahly fiiniislu'd more com- 
AND WHALERS inaiidcrs of wlialiii^' ves.sels tlian any other town 

in the United States in proportion to its popnla- 
tion. These captains have hunted the oily leviathans of the ocean in every 
sea on the globe; they have courageously met every danger and endured 
all the hardships of the cruise ; they are recorded as having had their 
share of greasy luck. Several of those masters who were born elsewhere 
spent their lives after retiring from the service in this town. It is said 
that in the days of the height of the whaling industry one might address 
every man he met in going about town by the title of captain and make 
few mistakes. 










WHALING SCENES IN WHALING DAYS 



The first whaling craft from the Aeushnet river were built and fitted 
out from the vicinity of our village. They were sloops and schooners. 
They were out in warm weather only, and caught their whales between 
here and the capes of Virginia. There were no try works on them to 
extract the oil from the blubber. Try works were built on the land here. 
The blubber was l)rought home on the decks of the vessels, which were 



196 



lijiiilfil lip l)i-();i(lsi(lr 1(1 tlu' nitlcly constructed wharf, .ind fiMtiii there the 
liliililirr \\;is cartiMl lo sl;i1 idii.iry try works. 

'rile rolldwiuu- is a j)ar1ial lisl (if wlialiiiL;- ciiptaiiis who liave Ix'cn 
or arc now resitleiits of, ami nearly all of them were born in Ihis town. 
The record of sea service of those with a * will he foiuKi in llie hiouraphi- 
cal seel ion of this ])oolv. 

In St;irl)U('k "s History of the Wlialiim liilcrcsts of New Hniiland 
aj)peai" the following names of persons who wei'c captains in that branch 
of industi'y : 

17;U. Thomas Hathaway. 

17."^(j. Benjamin Dillinuham. 

ITtiS. (Jamalicl S|iooiifi'. Louis Tabei-, ( )be(l \ye. 

17()!>. l>('n.iaiiiin I )iirniL;liaiii, 

177(1. Benjamin Uilliufihain. La/ai'us Spoonci-. 

1771. Thomas Manter, Kichard WJiclden. 

1772. lieiijamiu .leiuie.w (>bed .\\ e. 

177-S. Michael Hathaway. B<Mijaniin .Icmii'y. Sjinmi'l .Maiitn-, (Hied 
Xye. Edwai-d Winjj. 

1773. Job Si)oon('i'. 

1778. Daniel lieniictl. liriijainin I )illinL;liaiii. Robert Hathaway. 

178i). Robert Hathaway. Obed .\\i'. 

17!>2. Josepli Bennett. 

('ai)t. Richard Wheldeii was captured jibout Januai'y 1. 1771. by 
"Spanish Liiiarda costa" on tlir south side ol' llispauola. 

()iir of the laru'est voyages repoi'tcd in tins histoi'y was luie luaile l)y 
the ship Knvoy. It cost if^S.OOO to lit her foi- the voyage and her eatidi 
sold for ^<i:V2,(K)(». 

Ttic list below has been collected IVoni various other soiii'ces. 

.\daiiis. Charles 11..* Allen, Ile/.eUiali. bark .Minerva, duly 7. ISfiS, 
abandoned in the Arctic. 1S71 : bark Falcon. .Ma\ 14. 1S72: tiark Sea 
((|uecn. Westnort, Oct. 2;"). 187"). Allen, -lames,* Allen, -lames R..* Ash- 
ley. Kdward R..* Ashley. Williams. 

Bennett, .loscpli, ship Columbus. 17l»2. Beiuiett. Joseph. Jr.. bark 
Dragon. June 20. 1844. Beiniett. Josejih Iv. ship Massachusetts, Dec. 
4, 1851. Blacknier. Sctli. bai-k Klizabcth, 1824. Boweii. .Mailin. shij) 
.Mexander. June 10. 182:5: ship Anui/.ou. July 2!). lS2<i. .\ul;. 21. 1827. 
June S. 1828: shin Jasper, May 4. 18.S0; shij) .Mt. Wolla.ston. July 10. 181),"). 
l'>!-alcy Isaac \'.* Brale\-. Stephen. Butts. l''rancis A. I'liiM. Joseph. 

("lai-k. Cyi'iis K., Ji-.. bai'k Tropic liird. June 4. IS')."). Crandon. 
Tlioiiias. ('ollins. David, ("tillius. Hdward. I'hociou. Stenhania. .Midas. 

Dald. James. Davis. Williams. 

FJdi-idL'c. Martin li." l-lllis, Beiijaniin I-'., b.irk Pioneer, July 27 
18:^2. ;iiid July 8, 18:?:^: slii|i ('oiniiibiis. June 7. 18.'>."): bark Hope. .May 
22, 1S4:); bark Elisha Diinbai-. June l!». IS.31 ; bark Charleston Racket, 



197 



Sept. 16, 1858. Collins. David. I);irk William 'IMiateher, July 12. 1827; 
ship Stephania, Jiii).e IG, 1828. and .Inly :i(». 1S2!); slup Chili, -luly 17, 1880. 
Auf^. 1, 1831, and .Inly 3, 1832; ship Pacific, July 30. 1833, July 14, 1835. 
Auy. 7. 1837, and Nov. 3, 1839. Cochran, David,* shij) L. (I. Richmond. 
July 1, 1851, and Nov. 1, 1854; ship Oliver Crocker, Oct. 6, 1858. 

Ellis, John, shij) Dcsdcniona. Oct. 25, 1852: ship Hiawatha, Oct. 11. 
1856. 

Fislier, Owen, sliip (ieor-ie llowhuid, -June 25, 1846; bark Endeavor, 
Oct. 30, I860; schooner I^nion, Sept. 17, 1868, May 21, 1870, and May 13, 
1872; schooner Cohanet, May 1, 1875. 




WHALER OUTWARD BOUND 



TTammett, , bark ITnion, 1792. Hanmiett, John M., bark Sarah, 

1845, two more voyages in the same bark; Iowa, 1853; ship Ocean, Oct. 
22, 1856; Courser, Aug. 16, I860; schooner Express, May 20, 1868, two 
voyages in the Express, second one May 20, 1869. Hathaway, Ebenezer, 
brig America. 1826. Hathaw^ay, Humphrey, bark Dunbarton, Dec. 25, 
1852. Hathaway. Stephen.* ship Stephania, Oct. 16. 18.35. Hathaway, 



198 

S. 8.,* bark Tacitus. Juia' 27. 1844. llowlaud, Alexander.* Ilowland, 
Cornelius.* 

Kelley, Wilbur. Kempton, Stephen, ship Coiidor. Feb. 16. 1858. 

]\raclnnis. John PI JNIaeomber, Godfrey. IManter. Frederick W.. 
Iiark Gipsey. July 2, 1857. Planter, John, ship Charles. Sept. 1. 1858; 
the ship was lost in 1855. jNIurray, Edward. 

Nye. George AV., bark Pindus, Oct. U. 1834. Nye, Pardon. 

Omey. Joseph. Omey, Philip. 

Packard. Henry. I'arker. George, J.* Parker, John. Jr.. brig- 
Parthian. April 21. 1827: bark Industry. Westport. Aug. 29. 1825; Juno, 
Aug. 14. 1829, and Juni' Ki. 1880; ship Luc\ Anne, Wilmington, Delaware. 
Sept. 12, 1885, and July 24, 1837; ship Cerns, Sept. 13, 1833: ship Ontario, 
July 17, 1834. Paiker, Jonathan, brig Atlantic, May 17. 1794. Perry, 
.Idiialhan, ship Edward, 18(H). Pope. Silas.* 

Sampson, John, ship Loii(hiu Packet, May 2, 1888. Sannison, Closes. 
ship .Missouri. Sept. Ki, 182(), and June 7, 1833; ship Hercules, Aug. 14, 
1827; shij) Thomas Sevci-aiu^e, April 25, 1831, and June 17. 1882. Samp- 
son, Seth. ship (ieorge Porter, April 21, 1827. Severance. Thonuis. shij) 
Zephyr, Jum^ ti. 18;)4; ship Gid(M)n Barstow. June 15, 1826. Shockley 
William T.* Spoonei". Joseph, shi]) Midas. July 27. 1826, bi'ig .\g;ite. 
Oct. 81, 1840. Summerton, Penjamin. siooj) Hero, 1794. Swift, Rudol- 
phiis X.,* ship Lam-aster, Nov. 1. 1884. and Nov. 15, 1838. 

Taber. Asa. ship (ih)hc. Xov. Ki. 1S5(); the ship was lost t)n Past ('ape. 
lU'hriiig Sti-ait. Aug. 1851; ship Thomas Dickcisou. .lunc 26, 1852; slii]> 
Adeline. Oct. 22. 1856. Taber, Cyrus. Tabcr. George. Taber, Hum- 
|)hr('y. Taber, Jacob.* Taber. Joseph. Ji'.. ship Isabella, April 18. 1881; 
ship (Jeo. Howland, Dec. 5, 1884. Taber. .Joseph, Condor. July 7. 1846. 
Taber, Joseph P.. bark Dryad, Rochester, May 29, 1833, and -luly 18, 1884. 
Taber, Marcus. Taber. Mason. Tab(M-. Panlon, Jr.* Tabcr. Stephen. 
Taber. \V;dtei". shi]) Louisiana. Aug. 15. 1850. Tabi'i". William, slooji 
rudustry, 1794; schooner Swan. Tinkham, Silas, died on his second 
voyage in the Juno. 

West, Bartholomew, bark Emigrant. .lunc 1. 1848; the shij) was 
found in 1849 bottom up. none of the crew ever hcai'd fnnu. 

Wheldcn, Alexandei'. Whcldeii. .foscph ; Ca|ttain Whelden was a 
boatsteerer on the famous old wh.ilcr Rebecca, built in 1785 for .Tose])h 
Russell of .\ew l-Jedfoi'il and nanicd Inr his wife. Wing. Andrew .J., ship 
Canton, Aug. 10. 1S52; the ship was lost in tlu' Pacific (»cean with 1.800 
barrels whale nil on board: ship ]\utei-col1'. .\ov. 14. 1855. Winu'. 
• lanies .\.* 

The wi'iter has nuide earnest efVoi'ts by ad vert isiiiii in iiewspa|)ei-s. 
by letters and circulars to obtain a moi'e complete list of the Acushnet 
born \\!io hecaiiie the I'anking ol'lieei' of a whalei's (pi;ii-tei' deck and learn 
more of tlu' \"oyaL;('s and lixcs of these hrax'e. successful men. with the 
above meaiire I'esiilt. 



199 

A few figures about whale oils will be of interest. The lowest price 
paid for oil since the industry commenced was in 1823 when sperm oil 
sold for forty-three cents per g'allon and whale oil for thirty-two cents. 
The highest price, which was a few years ago, when one dollar was paid 
for sperm and fifty cents for whale. The greatest imports of oil into 
New Bedford was in 1851-53-54-57 when it amounted to from 10,000.000 
to 11.000,000 barrels per annum. 

This town has the distinguished honor of having a whaleship bearing 
the same name. The ship Acushnet was built in Fairhaven in 1840. 
Bradford, Fuller & Co., were the agents. She sailed on her first voyage 
June 3, 1841. Four years from that date she brought home 850 barrels 
sperm oil, 1,350 barrels of whale oil. and 13,500 pounds of bone. On the 
next voyage one of her boats in [)ursuit of a whale was stove and John 
Taber. first mate, and four of the crew were drowned. Her next voyage 
was in the Pacific ocean whei'c she was lost on St. Lawrence Island. 
August 16, 1851. 

PRECINCT CHURCH The religious society of the First Precinct 

AT ACUSHNET VILLAGE of Old Dartmouth which flourished for a 

century and worship])!^] in a house which 
stood where the cemetery near Parting Ways now is, began its existence 
according to traditions, in 1696. This tradition, in the writer's judg- 
ment, is supported by facts. This organization was composed of men and 
women of the faith and doctrine of the Plymouth church with the forms 
and government of the Presbyterian sect, similar in many particulars to 
the Congregational denomination of today. I\Iany 'of the strongest men 
in this community were among its original and future membership. This 
society does not appear as such in the "Minister law" struggle between 
the town and the General Court till 1708. On May 1st of that year Doctor 
Cutler declined an invitation of the Court to be a minister of the town, 
and June 3d of the same year Samuel Hunt of Weymouth, Mass., was 
commissioned by the Governor and Council "as Minister of Dartmouth" — 
not of this society — with the assurance from them of pecuniary support in 
part from the Province treasury. Dartmouth people saw victory in this 
act. The mechanism that brought about this appointment of young Mi". 
Hunt, who was then but twenty-two years of age, no records disclose. 
But from the facts that he was a Congregationalist, that he at once became 
the recognized pastor of the Precinct society, and that he subsequently 
married a daughter of Colonel Seth Pope, who was a leading man in the 
Precinct society and had considerable influence with the executive officers 
of the Province, one may conjecture how the scheme was conducted. 

This act of the officials made Samuel Hunt the first of the four pastors 
of the Precinct church with a long, interesting, useful history. The 
erection of a house of worshij) was commenced at once — by the society. 



200 

not the town — on a lot subseqnently conveyed to them, "the people of 
God called Presbyterians," by John Jenne, in a deed, a copy of which is 
given on another page. This is proven l)y a statement in Mr. Jenne 's 
deed that the lot is "where the meeting house now stands;" and from the 
vote of the General Court on June 15, 1709, that "fifteen pounds be 
Allowed and Paid out of the Publick treasury to Seth Pope, Esq., towards 
finishing the Meeting House lately erected in Dartmouth." 

When Dartmouth found that the sum paid out of the Province treas- 
ury towards the support of ]\Ir. Hunt was assessed to them they were 
wroth beyond description. Protests were sent to the General Court against 
this procedure, and the selectmen refused to collect the tax and were 
'imjirisoned eighteen months therefor. An embassy was sent to England 
b}' the town in 1724 and represented the case and their grievances before 
the King and his Council. This resulted in a royal order that the disputed 
taxes should not be collected and the imprisoned officers be released. 
The town's victory was complete. An outcome of this act of the king 
was the enactment of a law by the General Court of 1729 exem])ting 
Quakers and Baptists from paying taxes for town churches. Another 
triumph ! 

There remained in force, however, the obnoxious rule of electing a 
minister in tow^n meeting. This was loyally performed by Dartmouth, 
l)ut the successful candidate was invariably a Quaker or Baptist for whose 
support no appropriation was required. In 1723 Nathaniel Rowland, a 
"much respected Quaker preacher," grandson of Henry mentioned above, 
was chosen in town meeting as the minister — fifty-five votes were cast for 
him and twelve for Samuel Hunt. The town was remarkably generous 
in 1730 when two ministers "were chosen and approbated for the town's 
ministers to dispense the word and promote the Gospel of Christ" — 
Nicholas Davis of Acushnet and Philip Taber of Westport : But Davis 
was a Quaker and Taber a Baptist. The Precinct minister, Richard 
Pierce, was not even a caiididate for tln^ position. 

Not till 1747 were church matters eliminated from town meeting, 
where they had been a bone of contention and caused nuich bitter contro- 
versy for more than three (piarters of a centui'v. This was done by an 
act of the General Court dividing the town into two precincts — all the 
territory around the Acushnet river including this town being made the 
second precinct. Each ])reciii('t. Iiowever, had the power to tax all the 
inhabitants Avithin its bounds for its religious needs and to attach and sell 
property of persons who refused to pa\- such tax. This authority was 
exercised many times by the officials of Acushnet precinct. A quantity of 
hay was seized from Samuel Pope of Sconticut Neck, in this vicinity, who 
refused to ])ay the minister rate. One whose father was an attendant at 
the Parting Ways chui-ch rehited to the writei- that to his i^ersonal knoAvl- 
edge a cow belongiuL: to a Uajjtisl minister was sei/ed to ])ay his tax 



201 

towards the support of the Congregational minister there. The following 
is a copy of an advertisement of seizure and sale under this practice in this 
locality : 

Thefe are to give Public Notice that there is to be Sold at out cry 
or Publick Vandu to the highest bider next Fryday at 10 of the 
Clock in the fore Noon at the Dwelling House of me * * * or 
three & vantage Ileffer with calf which I have taken by Destrant 
from * * * to Pay His Part of our ministers Rate Dated at 
Rochester oct the 31st 1757. 

Got me * * * precinct collector. 
The lot on which the above mentioned house of worship was erected, 
now the cemetery located a few hundred feet west of Parting Ways, was 
originally known as "]\Ieeting House Green," and later the rise of ground 
on the top of which it stood was called Burial Hill. The building was a 
small structure and stood a few feet back of the present entrance to the 
lot. Where the highway- is now there was then only a cart path, which 
was on a level with the surface of the ground on both sides of the present 
road. An increase in population Mud in religious matters made it neces- 
sary to build a larger house which was done in 1743. The only record 
of this act in existence is doubtless this entry in an ancient family Bible 
which is vouched for oii reliable authority as referring to this second 
meeting house : 

"The dedication of the new meeting-house was the fifth of January 
1744. The first Sabbath was the eighth day." 

This fixes the date of dedication, Thursday, January fifth, 1744. 
The latter house was about fifty feet square and its exterior as pictured 
in the accompanying half tone. There were entrances on the east and 
west ends, besides the front. Galleries extended along three sides of the 
interior which was elaborately finished for the times. The pulpit was of 
the latest style, semi-circular, high, with fancifully carved trimmings, and 
reached by steps at its rear. Suspended over it by a rod from the ceiling 
was a sounding board. At one end of the east gallery were reserved seats 
for slaves and other Negroes. The pews on the main floor were square 
and high back, the "Deacon's Pue" being in fhe front row before the 
l)ulpit. Near the front corners of the house were two horse blocks at 
which the attendants at the services mounted and dismounted their horses, 
for in the earlier years every one who did not walk from their homes 
came on horseback, women riding on a pillion behind the men. No arti- 
ficial heat was permitted in these houses except foot stoves brought from 
the homes for women and children who did not use foot bags of fur. 
Men would not indulge in them, that would be too effeminate, and they 
bravely sat through the usual two hours' service in zero temperature 
clad in cowhide boots, yarn mittens and homespun overcoats. This was 
the practice everywhere. Judge Sewell wrote that he recollected a 
sermon two hours and a half long ; that Rev. Zachery Sj'^mmes was known 



2U2 

to ])i'eiieh from four to tive hours; tluit he had attended a communion 
service where the "Bread was frozen at the Lord's Table." In this 
Acushiict iueetiii<i- house there were but few books with psalms for sing- 
inii'. no written music, only about a dozen tunes, and no instrument bnt 
llic pitch-pipe. The ojiening of the service was indicated by the minister 
tui-ning the hour ^lass, and the yonng people doubtless watched the falling 
sands with greater interest than they listened to the "deaconing" or 
"lining" of the ])sa]m to be sung, and the long sermon. There was no 
Sunday school and the noon hour was passed in refreshing the inner man, 
ill rehearsing the affairs of everyday life, in l)aiting the horses, and in 
winter refilling the foot stoves with live coals, preparatory to another 
long service. 

Faithful ones walked up from lower Fairhaven, and down from 
Rochester where there was no Orthodox church, a round trip of ten to 
twelve miles, with surprising regnlarity, to these services. Shoe leather 
was expensive and one who wished to economize in footwear came l)are- 
I'ooted. with shoes in his hands, to the so called "shoeing places." Here 
men women and children ('ressed their feet and proceeded on their way. 
One of these shoeing {)laces was at a rock or ledge on the west side of 
Fairhaven road about five huiulred feet south of Parting Ways-, the other 
was at the top of the hill about a (piarter oi a mile north of l^irting 
Ways. This practice was related to me by (uie whose grandparents were 
among tlie actors. He said when the audience hlled the old church the 
boys were allow<(l to sit on the gallery stairs, which they greatly enjoyed. 
Perhaps the permit for this was woi'('ed like the one of which the follow- 
ing is an exact copy : 

"All y" Royes of y^ towne are appoynted to sift upon y^ three 
paire of stairs at y'" Meeting House an"d * * * is a])i)oy!ited to 
looke after y*' Boys on y'' pul{)it stairs." 

This was in force only on special occasions as announced from the 
pulpit. 

The old chnrch building was sold in 1887 to Isaac Vincent, a trader, 
who tore it down and used some of the material in the construction of a 
dwelling house. Therefoi-e for almost a century this, beacon of Chris- 
tianity stood on the top ot l>urial Hill. And foi' nuu-e than ten decades 
the Christ has been lifted ii|) in its i)ulpit and that of its predecessor, and 
His ])romise that when this was doiie lie would draw men unto Iliiii had 
been wonderfull}' fulfilled. 

This society had a loii<_;. eveiittul and reiiiarkahly interesting his1or.\-. 
its ol'licials were among the intelliLi-eiit . ahle men of the community, and 
its r(MM)rd iiiust have been voluminous and complete. My efVoi'ts thi'ough 
corresp(Uideiice and wide iiews])aiter advel'tising to tind them ha\-e been 
unsuccessful, excepting the tew rraginent ary leaves of a recoi-d book 
of the church in possession i>f the rnit:ii'iaii societ\ at New Bedford. 
These have a few items of business and some vital statistics. This and a 



203 



few public docuiiK'uts in the office of the Secretary of this Commonwt'alth 
is about all we have, excepting what little has recently been learned from 
aged descendants of members of the society or congregation. It api^ears 
that font' pastorates comprised the little over one hundred years of this 
history. 

Rev. Samuel Hunt, twenty-one years. 

Rev. Richard Pierce, sixteen years. 

Rev. Israel Cheever, A. M., three years. 

Rev. Samuel West, D. I)., forty years. 
All of these men were graduates of Harvard University. 
Mr. Hunt came here from his birthplace at Weymouth, Mass.. in i\Iay 
or June, 1708. He was gradnated from Harvard in 1700, and at once 
entered unon the Christian ministrv. Mr. Hunt came here in the midst 




THE PRECINCT MEETING HOUSE, 1744-1837. 

of the struggle between the town and the Plymouth Court on the minister 
law subject, but he evidently did not permit himself to be entangled in 
the controversy. Mr. Hunt's salary the first year was but $100 per 
annum, and his "Bed and Table maintenance." He frequently appealed 
for financial aid from the Province treasury, which was granted in every 
instance. On the death of his father, Ephraim, and his father-in-law. 
Col. Seth Pope, he became possessed of considerable property, and later 
bought the estate northwest corner of Bridge street and Acushiiet 
avenue, at Lund's corner, where he lived. At his death his real estate 
amounted to 210 acres. His headstone in the Precinct cemetery beai's 
this inscription : 

'"Here lieth y*^ body of the Rev"^ Samuel Hunt, ordained minister 

over the church of Christ in Dartmouth, who died Jaii^' y® 25**\ 1729, 

in y*^ 48 year of his age." 



204 

Richard Pierce was the immediate successor of Mr. Hunt, whose 
youii.iiest sister, Mercy, he married. Mr. Pierce was graduated at Har- 
vard in 1724, at the age of twenty-four. He was called at a church 
meeting hehl June 19, 1730, and served as pastor for sixteen years, but 
continued to reside in the town till his death, March 23, 1749. Little is 
known ot him or the value of his pastorate, but one may form an opinion 
of these from the facts that he remained with this people so many years; 
that a new church was l)uilt meantime, and that on his headstone in Pre- 
cinct cemetery are these words: "A gentleman of unspotted character 
in the office he sustained * * * ^xh() lived greatly beloved and died 
nnich lamented.'' 

Israel Cheever, A. ^I., was installed here in 1751. From Richard 
Pierce's resignation in 174() till ^Ir. Cheever came there is no evidence of 
a settled pastor. It is said that Rev. Joseph Roberts, minister at the 
" Pr-isbiterian" chvu'ch in Little Compton. R. I., was called in this interim, 
but declined to accept. ^Ir. Cheever was l)orn in 1720, and was graduated 
at Harvard in 1749. This was his tirst settled pastorate. That he 
remaiiunl here till 17")!) indicates his faithfulness. 

Sanniel West, D. 1)., succeeded ]\Ir. Cheever. His pastorate of forty- 
two years here, all of his Christian ministry, was the crowning era of this 
ancient parish. He was born in Bar'ustnble town, ^lass.. in 1730; grad- 
uated at Harvard College in 1754; was cordially invited to the pastorate 
of this church September 25. 17(iO; ordained June 3, 1761; reliiKpiishiMl 
his pastoral duties on account of age in June, 1803; died at Tiverton. 
R. I., September 24. 1807. and was l)uried beside the old church in which 
he had preached the gospel for forty-two consecutive years. . 

From llu' cradle to the grave this man had a remarkable career. 
Thei'e is rctom in this book tor only <i bi'ief allusion 1o his brilliant record. 
He was called "one of the giants of his time." And this he was physi- 
cally and mentally. He was over six feet tall and weighed at his best 
Iv.o hundred pounds. Whethw in society, or in the pulj)it, oi' in political 
dcbale. he manifested a winning personality. 

My k'nowledge of Dr. West, gained from numerous interviews with 
his gi'andson, who was a physician in the family of my talbei-; from 
otiiers oi his descendants; from his writings; from those who were mem- 
bers of his congregation and came in personal touch with him, leads me 
1o the conclusion that he possessed a vigorous, highly educated mind, 
was a keen observer, a hard student, an ardent pali'iot. a zealous Chi'is- 
tian, a genial associate, and had few e(pials in the pulpit and |)astoi"ate. 
He was especially hel|)t'ul to the federal cause in the Revolnt ionai'N' Wai" 
|)ei'i(Ml. in ai'iiiy camps an<l in political couiu'ils and state conventi(Uis. 
where his eminent ability was [)nl)licly recognized. He was a member 
of tlu' ^Massachusetts Const it ntioiud Convention of 1788. in which (Jov- 
ernor Hancock manifested his appreciation of Dr. AVest's excellent judg- 



205 

nient and merits as a leader in that dark crisis. He was paid the distin- 
guished honor of being chosen to deliver a sermon before "The Honorable 
Council and the Honorable House of Representatives of the Colony" at 
Boston, May 29, 1776, in the midst of our struggle for Independence. This 
was his text: "Put him in mind to be subject to principalities and 
powers, to obey magistrates and to be ready to do every good work." 
The sermon may be found in a book called the "Pulpit of the American 
Revolution. ' ' 

Dr. West was an able, interesting, drawing preacher. Among the 
large membership of the church were leading men and women of the 
community. His full congregations were due mainly to his personality, 
but there was less then to tempt one to neglect attendance upon public 
worship on the Lord's day and to lead to Sabbath desecration than now. 
The sacred (?) concerts on the Sabbath, the Sunday newspapers, the 
Sunday vaudeville, the Sunday base ball, the Sunday cock fight, and the 
indulgence in all varieties of pastime on Sunday, were fortunately for 
them and us not in existence in those days. Then it was the fashion and 
habit to "go to meeting" on the Lord's day — now the fashion and habit 
to remain away from the house of worship on that day largely prevails. 

Notwithstanding Dr. West's ability and high standing his salary was 
always a meagre one. Much of the time it was largely in arrears. This 
was the recorded complaint of his predecessor, Richard Pierce, who, near 
the date of his resignation, declared over his own signature that there was 
due him as unpaid salary "sixteen hundred pounds of lawful money,", 
which he stated was his entire salary for the sixteen years of his pas- 
torate of this church. He demanded the payment of this indebtedness, 
but there appears no record that he ever collected the sum due. There 
was promised for the first year of Dr. West's pastorate only 66£, 13s., Id., 
and his salary evidently did not exceed over $400 per annum during his 
ministry here. He made a statement at each yearly meeting of the society 
of the sum received and balance due him on account of salary. It appears 
that the arrearage in 1785 was 541£., r2s., lid. Hopeless of getting this 
from the parish he adds : 

"This account I desire may be laid before the Quarter Session 
of the Civil Court which sits at Taunton this week, that they may 
order the Precinct officers to collect the money for me. ^ly reasons 
for this request are: First, I owe money which I want to pay. 
Secondly, I want bread-corn for my family, and I can neither get 
money to purchase it nor the promise of it from those who owe me. 
Thirdly, I want clothing for myself and family. These are important 
articles for which, if they cannot be obtained, my family mnst suffer." 
His parishioners were not altogether to blame for this apparent 
injustice. This was soon after the pinching times following the Revolu- 
tionary War, and most of his parishioners were as poor and needy as their 
reverend minister. There is no record to show that the precinct was free 
of debt to the Doctor till June, ISO^, at the close of his ministry here, 



206 

when it was voted to pay him the sum of "'$S()() in full of all (h'liiauds. 
Jonathan Swift, Precinct clerk." 

In the latter years of Dr. West's mijjistry he had no sympathy with 
taxinii' the peoph' for the snpport of the ministry, and at his recpiest con- 
tribution boxes for collecting the money for salary and church expenses 
were introduced, and on these and the "sounding board" w^ere inscribed 
at his s-uggestion the following (piaint, comprehensive and now historic 
couplet: 

"Those who debate to pay l)y rate to end dispute may contribute." 

Doctor West's home was the farm at tlie northeast corner of Matta- 
poisett and Long Plain roads. His residence there is now standing about 
two liundi-ed feet north of the corner.''* Here he l^ept o]ien house and 
entertained many distinguished persons. 

Dr. West was married first at Plymouth. .Mass., by Kev. Jacol) l>acon, 
-to Exi)erience-''' daughter of Consider"*, (Thomas-^- Joseph^, John^ of the 
Mayflower.) Ilowlaud. b. 1748. d. 1789. (See Ilowland Genealogy). Ex- 
perience llowlaud's sister married Thomas Crandou. wlio became a promi- 
nent citi/en of this town. Experience was vi^ry tall of stature and an ex- 
cellent home maker. The doctor would playfull\' remark to his friends 
that he had "learned from experience what it was to have a good Vv'ife," 
and "one long for this W(U'ld."' IJut she died when but forty-one years 
of age. leaving an infant son, Sanuiel. who with his s(,n John, became 
popular physicians at Tivertcui. R. I., where Samuel ('ied June 1"), 1888, 
ag(> ()1 years. Theii" daughter Haniudi was a popular school teacher of 
this town. !)r. West married second. Louisti, widow of Capt. Benjamin 
J(MHU'\'. llis decease occurred at the house of his son Samuel at Tiverton. 
K. I. Oil his headstone in the Precinct grave>ard, just in the rear of the 
house of (Jod in whicli for lu'ar half a c( ntury he proclaimed the gospel 
as "the power of (Jod unio salvation unto everyone Ihat believeth," is 
the following insci-ipl ion : 

"Sanuiel West, D. !).. 
the son of Di'. Sackfield West, bv his wife Kufh -lenkins, was born at 
Yarmouth, C. C. March :^d, 1729-30, 0. S. Ordaiiu-d in this place June 
3. 1761. Relincpiished his pastoral charge -luiu', 1803. Died at Tiver- 
t(ui, K. I., Sept. 24th, 1807." 

The death knell of this society whose remarkable history had covered 
a period of a hundred years was sounded when the resignation of Doctor 
West, in consequence of infirmity of seventy-nine years of life, was ac- 
cepted in June 1803. This blow was supplemented by the moving of 
many of the congregation and supporters into Xew Bedford and Fair- 
haven, which were offering great inducements for such migration. So 
fatal to the future welfai'e of this ])recine1 were Ihese conditions that 
regular religious and business meetings ceased at once to be held. From 
this lime till the old house disap[)eared, in 1837. the only gatherings 

*See "Jn-. West lionu'" in aiipiiulix. 



207 

held there were occasioiiMl scries ot reliiiious services by brief transient 
supplies and by traveling' evangelists; a Sunday school conducted by a 
resident physician named Finney; a few meetings of the Methodist church 
society after it was organized in 1807, and town meetings of New Bed- 
ford and later of Fairhaven. One of the itinerant preachers, who always 
drew a congregation that packed the house whether he was there in the 
day time or evening, was the eccentric, everywhere popular Lorenzo Dow. 
On his last appearance there the building being old and really unfit for 
such use, in the midst of his fervent a,ddress, one of the crowded galleries 
began to crack. This created an alarm and stampede which it was im- 
possible for Dow to prevent. Dow cried out in his characteristic manner: 
"If you are so frightened at a noise like this, what will you (b) at the 
crack of doom announcing the judgment day!" He rushed across the 
highway through the terrifitMl crowd where there was a pile of lumber 
from which the house now standing there was ])eing constructed. He 
hastily mounted the pile and shouted to the throng before him: "I have 
preached in dwellings and in l)arns and in meeting houses, but I've always 
found the most room out of doors," and proceeded with his interrupted 
discourse, holding the throng till its close an hour later. One of my two in- 
formers of this memoraljle event to the villagers who were present, 
was in the gallery and the other, a small boy, was dr-opped out of a win- 
dow to the ground l)y h's anxious mother, Avhom lie joined at one of the 
outer doors of the building. 

Records have recently been examined by me which give facts relat 
ing to the geography and divisions of this Precinct. The so-called Dart- 
mouth precinct had its origin with the incorporation of the old town, 
1664. It included the town of Rochester. An act of the general court 
of 1747 divided the iirecinct. Rochester became the first and Acushnet 
the second precinct. In 1792 the Acushnet precinct was divided b\' es- 
tablishing a precinct comprising the present town of Fairhaven, to be 
known as the "Second precinct in New Bedford." By this act what was 
left of the old precinct became the "First." This was again divided by 
the 'egislature of 1807, when Bedford village and contiguous territory 
was set off and chartered as ''The Bedford precinct." This was the 
final operation performed on the body of the ancient parish. Its vitality 
was exhausted. It never recovered and became extinct through natural 
causes. 

Reference is made above to existing fragments of records of this 
society, a few of which are given below. They include a jjcriod of time 
only from 1730 to 1776, but contain the names of more than one thousand 
persons who were baptized, married, and admitted to membershii) in the 
church, including Indians and Negroes. 

The first entry is a bond of Samuel Joy, the village blacksmith, dated 
Feb. 23, 1730, in which he binds himself to pay one pound towards the 



208 

support of* the ministry the ensuing year. Eliokim Willis, the village 
school master, was one of the witnesses to his signature. 

The first person recorded as admitted to full communion was Esther 
Palmer, Jan. 24, 1730. 

A report signed by Philip Cannon and James Cushman states that 
the Church of Christ in Dartmouth, June 12, 1730, chose Mr. Richard 
Pierce as their minister and on the 11th of the following September these 
two men applied to the selectmen praying that a town meeting should be 
called to act on this choice of minister. 

Rev. Richard Pierce gives his reasons for inviting members of the 
church to his residence in the following note : 

To the Church of Christ in Dartmouth. 

Brethren : 

The reason of my desiring your Company at my House today, was 
lliiit I might have an opportunity to accjuaint you that I am reduced to 
such Circumstances as will in a very short time Constrain me to leave 
the work of the ministry among you. Richard Pierce. 

Dartmouth, April 30, 1739. 

In a communication to the church,' dated Dec. 22, 1747, Richard Pierce 
writes as follows: "It is now upwards of a year and a half since I took 
Release from my Pastoral care of you. and thought it might recently been 
expected you would long liefore this have satisfied me for my services 
while with you ; yet I find it far otherwise, nor can I understand that you 
are the Least concerned about it or take any care to do it ; I am sorry to 
find such a careless disposition in you which may prove so prejudicial to 
us both. Brethren, I served you sixteen years and upwards, and my de- 
mand therefore is Sixteen Hundred Pounds Lawful money of New Eng- 
biiid. which is no more th.in in my answer to your call is suggested." ]\Ir. 
Pierce threatened to l)rii>g the matter before the next June court, unless 
payment was made before that time. 

1731, June If), the clnircli voted that th(> relation of experiences of 
persons who shouUl join the church sliould be desired, but should be 
exacted on nont' oidy a creed of their faitli. 

1735, Xov. 7, Deacon Janu's (Jushman was chosen to be tlic ruling 
Elder. 

1747, Oct. 2(j, the (icncral Court grantctl a petition of tlic inhabitants 
of Aeushnet Village that the precinct which included Rochester be di- 
vided and Rochester be the bi'st i)i'ecinct, and Aeushnet be the second. 
The records alter this (hite refer to tlie latter as tin* second precinct. 

June 2. 1742. .lol) .Icnney and Jireh Swift wci-e chosen deacons by a 
large niaj(»i-it\'. 

17r){), April 2. .Iose|)h Roberts in a Icttci- to Elder Cushnum declined 
to accei)t tiu' call to .\cushnet. 



209 

1751, June 18, it was voted to call Rev. Israel Cheever at a salary of 
one hundred and six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence. The com- 
munication was signed by James Cushman, Jireli Swift and William 
Kempton. 

At a council composed of delegates from Bridgewater and first and 
second churches of Rochester, held December 25, 1759, to consider charges 
against Rev. Israel Cheever, he was found guilty of an awful breach of 
the third commandment. He had been guilty of the practice of playing 
cards and we are obliged to bear testimony against the practice of that 
game as sinful in all professors of religion and attended with peculiar 
aggravation in a Minister of the Gospel. They found that he had re- 
proached Deacon Jireh Swift and his family and was rash in admonish- 
ing two of the brethren. They recommended the precinct give him a 
dismission, but he apologized and the recommendation was reconsidered. 

The following is a copj^ of the record of the immeasurably important 
transactions of a meeting at this church at Parting Ways which marked 
the parting-of-the-ways in the life of young Samuel West, and in the 
history of this parish and contributed inestimably to the moral and social 
and civic welfare of a multitude of persons of that time and succeeding 
ages. 

Proceedings of the Precinct Meeting : 

In purfuance to a Warrant Ifsued, &c. 

The Inhabitants of the Second Precinct of Dartmouth met together 
the 15 & 21 Day of September Inftant and confulted the following parT 
ticulars. Viz. : 

1. To see if the Pricinct will Vote a concurrance with the Church 
in their Choice of M'"- Samuel West of Barnstable to be their Pastor and 
Teacher and call him to work. 

Put to Vote. 

Voted in the affirmative & concurr'd with, &e. 

2. To Vote a settlement & Yearly Salary for his support during 
the time of Ministry among us. 

Put to Vote and 

Voted Sixty-Six Pounds thirteen Shillings & four pence Salary or 
Yearly Support to the above M^- West provided he tarry with us. 

3. To choofe a Committee to offer to s*^ ]\P'- s*^ call, Settlement and 
Salary that may lie voted for his encouragement to tarry among us. 

Confented to and Chofe 

Sam" Willis Efs 
Elisha Tobey Efs 
Ml- Tho^ West 
M^ Nathii Spoouer 
M'' Philip Canon 
Dea^" Jireh Swift 



210 

A Committee for the performing the Service of the laft mentioned 
Article. 

H. Cornish, Clerke. 
Dartmh Sept 25th 1760. 

To M^ Samuel West. 

1773, Apr. 15, John Chaffee and Jireh Swift, Jr., chosen Deacons. 

1779, June 15, chose Seth Cushman to "open and shut the meeting 
house, and to sweep the same four times a year. ' ' Chose Gamaliel Bryant 
to "repair the windows of the meeting house, and voted that four win- 
dows be taken from the loft and over the doors to repair the others." 

1779, July 17, chose W"i Allen, Seth Jenne, Jacob Hathaway, Joseph 
Damon. Ebeneezer Willis, John Chaffee, and Gamaliel Bryant to "over- 
see the Youths on the Sabbath and to tarrj^ at the meeting house in the 
intermission season in their turn." 

1780, June 22, voted that "Mr. West have a salary of 66£, 13s, 4d, 
to be paid in proportion to Corn at 3s, 4d, per bushel, leather at Is, & 4 
pence per pound." 

1785, Apr. 10, Venture, a negro man was baptised and admitted to 
full communion. This was the slave who purchased his freedom of Dea- 
con John Chaffee in 1770, mentioned on page 85. 

1788, Sept. 9, Dr. West's personal account with the church shows the 
Precinct was indebted to him 769 pounds, almost $4,000, and he threatens 
to present the matter to the civil court if not paid soon. 

1793, Nov. 7, Philip Crandon married to Esther Dillingham. 

1805, Captain William Gordon was chosen clerk, pro. tern. It was 
voted to "raise 70 pounds to be placed in the hands of a committee for 
the purpose of procuring fire wood and corn for Mr. West." 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL The oldest Methodist Episcopal society in 

CHURCH AT Bristol County is the one at Aeushnet Vil- 

ACUSHNET VILLAGE lage. Methodist preachers were in this 

vicinity before the year 1800, preaching 
in barns, attics, and old kitchens. Among their places of meeting and 
preaching was the house of Ellis IMendall, located on the east side of 
Mendall road. Their earnest manner and spiritual zeal attracted the 
people, and after the decease of Dr. Samuel West, the pastor of the pre- 
cinct church near Parting Ways, there began a movement towards intro- 
ducing the Methodist sect into this place. This met with the sympathy 
of a number of the members of the precinct society and congregation. 
It was led by Captain John Hawes, a native of the place, an attendant at 
the old church, a prominent man in the community and in business 
circles. Captain Hawes was a shipmaster in the foreign merchant 
service. On one of his voyages to London he attended a meeting in a little 
chapel, where he listened to the renowned Whitfield. A resolution made 



211 

at the time was the beginning- of a wonderful career of religious zeal 
and usefulness. He returned to America with an ardent desire for the 
introduction of Methodism into the community where he resided and in 
whose spiritual welfare he was deeply interested. He was the means of 
bringing to Acushnet, in the year 1805, a young Methodist preacher by 
the name of Epaphras Kibby, who at once entered into the confidence and 
sympathy of the entire community. He and Captain Hawes later led 
the people to consent to the organization of a Methodist society here, 
and on the second day of August, 1807. "The Methodist Episcopal Church 




METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT ACUSHNET VILLAGE 
BURNED IN 1904 LOOKING WEST 



of Fairhaven" was organized in the second story of the building on the 
south side of Bridge street, east of the bridge and close to the river. 
The original members of the society were the following eight persons, 
who were a part of the original Class previously led by Captain Hawes : 

John Hawes, Benjamin Dillingham, Freelove Nye, Daniel Summer- 
ton, Hannah Summerton, Jedidah Haskell, Merab Spooner and Nancy 
Danforth. 

These eight persons, three men and five women, were baptized by 
Mr. Kibby on the day of the organization, and constituted the original 



212 



membership of the society. Many of the early members were former 
attendants, members and officials of the Precinct church. Among them 
were Captain John Ilawes, Deacon John Chaffee, Captain Benjamin Dil- 
lingham, Daniel Summerton, Captain Obed Nye, Zacheus Cushman, Cap- 
tain Jonathan Danforth, Brownell Armsby, John Perr}^ Joseph Stowell, 
JohnWady. All of them of prominence in the place.* 

Mr. Kibby remained here two years, and at the close of his labors 
the membership had increased to sixty-four persons. The Sunday services 
were held either at the schoolhouse which stood on the north side of 
Bridge street, at the head of Belleville avenue, or in the old church on 
Meeting House Green, near Parting Ways, until 1811, when the first 
meeting house of the society was erected on the spot where the present 
one stands. 




Photo by A. H. McCreary, Phila. 

INTERIOR OF METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 
BURNED IN 1904 



Captain Hawes gave the lot of land, which was the southeast 
corner of his large estate. 

This building was replaced by a new one, which was dedicated March 
9, 1854, and was destroyed by fire December 11, 1904. The present 
building was at once constructed over the old foundation, and was dedi- 
cated December 1, 1905. 

*For a more complete narrative of this society see Franklyn Howlantl's 
"Centennial Historv of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Acushnet, Mass." 
Bound in cloth; illustrated. Copies of which will be mailed to any address. For 
descriptive circular and price send to tlie author at Acushnet, Mass. 



213 

The original parsonage of the society was bequeathed to it by 
Edward Dillingham, one of the early members. It was formerly his 
home. It was moved away, and the present attractive and convenient 
parsonage was erected very nearly on the spot where it stood, in 1897. 

The Epworth League was organized November 3, 1890. The following 
are the officers of the association serving at the present time : 

President, Arthur Schiller; First Vice President, Mrs. Arthur 
Schiller ; Second Vice President, Sara E. Hathaway ; Third Vice President. 
Susie Crocker; Fourth Vice President, Grace P. Dillingham; Secretary, 
F. Edna Davis ; Treasurer, Olive A. Washburn.** 



18'06 
1809 
1810, 
1811- 

1817 

1818- 
1821- 

1823, 
1824. 
1825. 
1826. 
1827. 
1828. 
1829. 
1830. 
1831, 
1832. 
1833. 
1834- 
1836. 
1837. 
1838. 
1839- 
1841, 
1842- 
1844. 
1845. 







PASTORS. 


-08. 


Epaphras Kibby. 


1846. 




Nehemiah Coye. 


1846. 




Levi Walker. 


1847. 


-16. 


Nehemiah Coye. 


1848-49 


-18. 


Benjamin R. Hoyt. 


1850. 


-20. 


Shipley W. Wilson. 


1851. 


22. 


Solomon Sias. 


1852-53, 


(Founder of Zion's Herald.) 


1854. 




Edward T. Taylor. 


1655. 




Erastus Otis. 


1856. 




Leonard Bennett. 


1857. 




La Roy Sunderland. 


1858-59 




Leonard B. Griffin. 


1860-61 




Robert Easterbrooks. 


1862-63 




Elias C. Scott. 
James Porte'r. 


1864. 




Samuel Drake. 


1864. 




William Baxter. 


1865-66 




0. Sperry. 


1867-68, 


■35. 


Thomas Ely. 


1869. 




D. K. Bannister. 


1870-72, 




Franklin Fisk. 


1873-75 




Onesiphorus Robbins. 


1876. 


-40. 


Lemuel Harlow. 


1877. 




Otis Wilder. 


1877-79 


43 


Joseph Macreading. 


1880-81, 




George Winchester. 


1882. 




WilUam Cone. 


1883-85, 



Hebron Vincent. 
Daniel Webb. 
Randall Mitchell. 
George W. Wooding. 
James B. Weeks. 
Nathan Paine. 
Richard Donkersly. 
J. A. M. Chapman. 
E. Franklin Hinks. 
Philip Crandon. 

A. Latham. 

B. L. Sayer. 
William T. Worth. 
Sanuiel Fox. 
Israel Washburn. 

(Died during year.) 

Thomas Ely. 
Edward H. Hatfield. 
George W. Wooding. 
B. K. Bosworth. 
Edward A. Lyon, 
Charles E. Walker. 
E. H. Hatfield. 
Joseph E. Sears. 
Charles L. Goodell. 
George M. Ham! en. 
N. W. Jordan. 
Edward Williams. 



**Several years ago there was considerable discussion in pulpit and press as 
to tlie ecclesiastical successor of the Precinct churcli near Parting Ways. Some 
claimed it was tlie Congregational church at Acushnet village, otliers that it was the 
Trinitarian churcli at Ne-w Bedford. This Methodist society, however, was the first 
religious organization founded by members of tlie old churcli and congregation, 
and this was the first religious society formed within the bounds of old New 
Bedford, after the beginning of the final decline of the old Precinct church. Is not 
this Methodist Episcopal society the original successor of the First Precinct church 
of Old Dartmouth? 



214 



1886-87. Charles S. Davis. 

1888. F. A. Crafts. ' 

1888-89. R. M. Wilkins. 

1890-92. E. B. Giirney. 

1893-94. Rennetts C. Miller. 

1895. 0. A. Farley. 



1896-97. H. H. Critehlow. 
1898. F. J. Follansbee. 

1899-1901. L. H. Massey. 
1902-03. J. Wesley Annas. 
1904-05. R. S. Ciisliman. 
1906-07. William C. Darbv. 



The officiary of the society at the time the church was burned was as 
follows: Trustees, Moses S. Douglass, Franklyn Howland, Henry T. 
Russell, William A. Gurney, John A. Russell, Emma H. (Mrs. Franklyn) 
Howland. Stewards: Pamelia C. (Mrs. James R.) Allen, Lydia (Mrs. 




PRESENT METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT ACUSHNET VILLAGE 



Weston) Jenney, Moses S. Douglass, Franklyn Howland, Jennie Gardner, 
John Woodland, Mary J. (Mrs. Edward A.) Lyon, Sara (]\Irs. Charles F.) 
Trull, Mary (Mrs. H. T.) Sherman, William A. Gurney, Frank Knowles, 
Charles F. Trull, ^laria (]\lrs. John A.) Russell. JMrs. Sherman was the 
recording steward. 

The following persons have been tlie officers of the Sunday School 
since 1893. Superintendents: Rev. E. B. Gurney, J. R. Thompson and 
William A. Gurney. The latter has held the office continually since 1899. 
Assistant superintendents: John R. Thompson, Rev. R. C. Miller, William 
A. Gurney, Arthur Schiller. Secretaries: Gilbert B. Borden, Jr., Thomas 
D, Hathaway, Leroy Howland, Josie Hathaway, Sarah Andrews, Sarah 



215 

E. Hathaway, Alberta Dillingham. Librarians: James Thompson, Flor- 
ence TrnlL Mary L. Hathaway, Henry Gonsalves, Grace Dillingham, 
Walter Rogers, Theodore Wilbur, Jennie Darling, Gertrude Dexter, 
Edna Davis. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL According to the records it appears that 
CHURCH AT LONG PLAIN during the season of 1822 "Philip Cran- 

don, Sr., conferred with some of his 
neighbors in Rochester, where he resided, respecting the importance of 
public religious instruction in the community," and "the more aged and 
thoughtful ones agreed to procure the preaching of the gospel." Some 
wanted one denomination, some another, when Mr. Crandon proposed 
that ' ' he would obtain a supply for the pulpit half the time if his friends 
would supply the other half." 

Mr. Crandon, being of Methodist persuasion, naturally preferred a 
preacher of that denomination, and the agreement gave him the privilege 
to provide such a one. He therefore conferred with Rev. Solomon Sias, 
who was then the preacher in charge of the Methodist church at Acushnet 
Village, who, at Mr. Crandon 's request, j^resented the matter to the 
annual conference of 1823. This resulted in the appointment of Rev. 
Phineas Crandall to the charge, consisting of Rochester and Middle- 
borough. He was succeeded in 1825 by the appointment of Leonard B. 
Griffin to the circuit, and during his pastorate a church building was 
erected in 1828, called the "Sniptuit chapel," from its location, which 
was on Sniptuit Hill, at the west end of a pond of the same name. The 
trustees of that church where John Bennett, Jr., Philip Crapo, William 
Bryant, Billings F. Corey, Jonathan Vaughn, Lewis Shaw, Otis Sherman, 
Philip Crandon and William Spooner. The latter was an official in the 
Acushnet Village church. This organization was included in the Acushnet 
station and a quarterly conference was occasionally held there. At one 
of these, July 14, 1828, it was 

"Voted to Petition to the Annual Conference to be held in Lynn 
July 23, 1828, to Station L. B. Griffing as a Preacher for the ensuing 
year for Rochester and Fairhaven. Leonard B. Griffing, Pres. pro. 
tem. Philip Crandon secretary, pro. tem. " 

Religious interest diminished there and increased at Long Plain so that 
in 1857 a Methodist society was organized at the latter place, including 
the members of the Sniptuit society. The above Philip Crandon had a 
son Philip who preached at Sniptuit in 1840, and was the first preacher 
in charge, it is said, of the Long Plain church. Philip Crandon, Jr., 
was in the Methodist ministry many years. 

Samuel Wilde wrote that he, assisted by Elizabeth, daughter of 
Captain AVilliams Ashley, started the first Sunday school at Long Plain. 
This was in 1837. 

Previous to 1862 this society worshipped in a small chapel built for 



216 



the purpose. This building is now the parsonage house. The enterprise 
of building a new house of worship commenced and was completed that 
year. The location is on the west side of the main street in the village, 
perhaps five hundred feet north of Rochester road. 

Under the pastorate of Rev. Jay Kirkendall, then a student at Boston 
University School of Theology, the membership was largely increased and 
the church refurnished and repaired. 

Pastors . Philip Crandon ; S. Y. Wallace ; Henry H. Smith ; Josiah 
C. Allen; Moses Chace; George H. Winchester; Samuel J. Carroll; Samuel 
T. Patterson ; Caleb S. Sanford ; Francis A. Loomis ; George H. Butler ; 
Erastus W. Goodier ; John Thompson ; Roderick J. Mooney ; A. C. Jones ; 
John S. Bell ; Solomon P. Snow ; William D. Wilkinson ; Charles K. 
Jenness: Asaph Wicks; Jay Kirkendall; J. L. Thomas; E. H. Roberts; 




METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND PARSONAGE 
AT LONG PLAIN 



R. M. Fowles; T. D. Watson; G. L. Davis; L. L. Loofbourow; E. G. 
Babcock ; A. M. Davidson ; B. F. Crawford ; W. Wersen. 

The present officiary of the church is as follows: 

Stewards. Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gammons; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. 
Borden ; Mr. and ]\Irs. Thomas L. Clark ; ]\Irs. Charles Spooner ; Alice W. 
Haswell ; Bertha Leonard. Sarah J. Braley, recording steward ; Willard 
B. Peckham, district steward. 

Trustees. Thomas L. Clark; Emerson Bennett; Frank Lawrence; 
Charles F. Leonard; Charles Spooner; James Gammons; Henry Jackson; 
James Sherman. 

Sunday School Officers. Alice Haswell, superintendent: Mm. J. E. 
Borden, assistant superintendent; Mrs. Obed Gifford, treasurer. , 



217 

FRIENDS' MEETING The second religious society to organize and 
AT PARTING WAYS bnild a meeting house on the Acushnet tract 

was the Friends. As stated in the article on 
"Early Religious History," very many of the earliest residents of this 
town were of the Friends society. Here and in the Apponegansett 
neighborhood they colonized and organized into societies later. No 
doubt religious meetings were held in both these localities as soon as the 
families began to arrive here, soon after 1652, but there is no record of 
an organization of Friends in the town till the Dartmouth Monthly Meet- 
ing was authorized by the Rhode Island Meeting. The first records of 
their transactions are dated April 26, 1699. This people, however, had 
already decided on the 6th day of the previous November to build a 




FORMER FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE AT PARTING WAYS 



meeting house which was doubtless the first one of any denomination 
erected in Old Dartmouth. It was built in the Apponegansett section of 
the town and its successor stands on the same site. 

This Acushnet territory was included in the Dartmouth Monthly 
Meeting. Friends were so numerous here and the distance to the Appone- 
gansett Meeting so great, a dozen miles or more, that an application was 
made in 1708 for permission to hold a meeting within present Acushnet, 
which was granted that year. For two decades thereafter the religious 
services of this sect were held in private dwelling houses. 

A part of the history of this meeting for the next half a century 
is best given in the following extracts from Dartmouth Monthly Meeting 
records. 



218 



1708-9, 12 mo. 21. — And whereas it was Recommended to this meet- 
ing that some friends or friendly people at Acushnet desire that there 
may be a meeting of worship appointed amongst them once in a month, 
and, after some debate upon the matter, friends did unanimously agree 
that their Request might be Answered, thinking it might be for the 
honor of God and for the promotion of truth amongst them, and so recom- 
mends it to the Quarterly Meeting for their assistance therein. 

1709, 2nd mo, 19. — Also a meeting of worship is Established at 
Acushnet by the Quarterly Meeting as requested, and is to be kept the 
last first day of Every Month. 




INTERIOR OF AN OLD TIME MEETING HOUSE 



1712, 1st mo. 17. — And this meeting doth according to the Request of 
Friends at Acushnet grant that they shall have another meeting of wor- 
shij) there which is to be the second first day in every month, except it 
be when it falls out to l)e that first Day next before the monthly meeting 
of business. 

1725, 'M mo. 17. — It is agreed at this meeting that there slKuild be 
added to Acushnet one meeting more in a month, and when it so happens 
that there are five first days in a month, then there are two to be added, 
;iii(l these tluit are added are to be kept at Joseph Taber's. 

1725, iltli mo. 24. — It being proposed that friends have an ofi'er of 
some Land at Acuslmet to l)iiil«l a meeting house upon, and Nicholas Davis 
and John Tucker are ai)i)ointc'd to view and see whether it be a place 



219 

convenient, and know the terms that we may have it upon, and make 
return to y^ next Monthly Meeting. 

1727, 2d mo., 17.— Nicholas Davis, Deliverance Smith, Henry Tucker 
and John Tucker are chosen to agree with Stephen West, Jr., for Land 
at Acushnet to set a Meeting House upon, and a burying place, and make 
return of their doings to y^ next Monthly Meeting. 

1727, 3d mo., 15.— Those friends that were chosen at y^ Last Monthly 
Meeting to agree with Stephen West, Jr., at Acushnet for Land to set a 
meeting house upon, and a burying place, make report to this meeting 
that they have agreed with him— and this meeting makes choice of Henry 
Tucker to get it Laid out, and get a Return of the same, and make return 
to ye next Monthly Meeting of his doings therein. 

1727, 4th mo., 19.— Henry Tucker hath got y^ Land laid out to build a 
Meeting House upon, and a burying place, as appointed, and it is referred 
to y^ next Monthly Meeting for further consideration. 

1727, 5th mo., 17. — This meeting makes choice of Nicholas Davis, 
Joseph Taber, Joseph Russell, Jr., Adam Mott and John Tucker, Jr., to 
have ye deed made to of y^ Land at Acushnet, to build a Meeting House 
upon as above written, and to get a deed for the same. 

1728, 10th mo., 16. — This meeting agrees to build a Meeting House 
at Acushnet near the bigness of friends Meeting House at Pembroke. 
And Thomas Hathaway, Joseph Taber, Jacob Taber and Henry Tucker 
are appointed to see it done as soon as can be with conveniency. 

1729, 6th nu)., 18. — There is a deed drawn up and signed according 
to appointment for the Meeting House Land at Acushnet. 

1731, 7th mo., 20. — And Friends of Acushnet proposed at this meet- 
ing that they have a mind to build a stable upon the meeting house 
land at Acushnet to put friends Horses in, which this meeting agrees to. 

The above minutes all refer to the official establishment of the 
Friends' Meeting at Parting Ways; the location of the meeting house 
there and the purchase of the land it was built upon ; the construction of 
a stable, which Friends always religiously provide, and a burying ground. 
All the Acushnet men on these committees were of the leading citizens 
of the town. 

The deed of this lot containing three quarters of an acre, is dated 
9th mo., 11th, 1727. The original house was probably built in 1729, the 
date made with tacks on one of the doors of that house, which may now 
be seen in the present house. This was probably a small building which 
the society soon outgrew, as a minute in the records dated Oct. 16, 1755, 
states that it was then decided to replace that building witli a much larger 
and more commodious one. This purpose was speedily accomplished 
as the membership of the meeting was large, the attendants at the 
services were numerous and funds for the construction of the new edifice 
were soon pledged. No description of the exterior of the new building is 
necessary, the accompanying half tone, from a photograph of it which it 



220 

was my good fortune to find, being a correct reproduction of its appear- 
ance. The interior was severely plain and unattractive in finish and 
furnishings, as all Friends' meeting houses were in those days. No paint, 
putty, cushions, rugs, stoves or fireplaces contributed to the welfare of 
those who worshipped there during most of its more than a century of 
existence. It is related on good authority, and the writer has no doubt of 
the truth of the statement, that in the Kevolutionary War period, some of 
the Friends who belonged here manifested no sympathy with the Whig 
political party and they were looked upon by their brethren who sup- 
ported that party as almost Tories. They could hardly be tolerated by 
the patriotic Whigs. 

They were called "Separationists" and at their request were granted 
the privilege to build an annex on the east end of the house for their 




Photo, by A. H. MoCieary, Pliila, 
PRESENT FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE AT PARTING WAYS. 



special meeting place apart from the main building. Here they worshipped 
at the same hour their brethren did in the main room. It seems best to 
withhold from printing here the names of some of these persons which 
have been given me. 

Till near 1760 Acushnet Preparative Meeting was a part of Dart- 
mouth Monthly Meeting, but about that time it was attached to the 
Sandwich Monthly Meeting. In 1795 tlie Long Plain Preparative Meet- 
ing, including the two societies in Acushnet. comprising one hundred 
and seventy-three members, was transferred from the Sandwich to the 
Dartmouth Monthly Meeting, of which they have ever since been a part. 
Later the meetings at Fairhaven Village and IMattapoisett were united 
to the above Long Plain Meeting. The old house had become so dilapi- 
dated that it was torn down about 1871 and the present convenient and 



221 

attractive house at once erected on the same site. Inside the seats are 
of comfortable form and cushioned, the floors are carpeted and the entire 
woodwork is painted. The stone walls and grounds are in fine condition 
and horse sheds which Friends maintain are in abundance. Almost the 
entire grounds had been used as a grave yard. From the unlettered head 
stones it was estimated that more than 1,000 persons had been buried 
there. About 1890 these head stones were reverently sunk beneath the 
surface, the entire plat was graded and seeded, making a beautiful spot in 
this attractive locality. One who realizes something of the remarkable 
history of this place and recalls it as he stands upon it, feels he is on 
holy ground. 

"Aye, call it Holy Ground, 

The soil where first they trod; 
They left unstained what there they found — ■ 

Freedom to worship God." 

Several able and successful ministers have come from the membership 
of this Meeting. Among them are John R. Davis, Sr., Robert Brownell, 
William R. Taber and Edward G. Dillingham. 

John R. Davis was a powerful, winning speaker. His audiences 
frequently filled the house. The present superintendents of this meeting 
are N. Hervey and wife Adelaide Wilbur. 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH The third religious denomination to estab- 
AT LONG PLAIN lish itself in this town was the Baptist. In 

the early days of the settlement at Ply- 
mouth persons of this belief also found life unbearable there and some of 
them came up to Dartmouth with the Quakers and "Prisbiterians." 
These were under the leadership of John Cooke, a man of marked intelli- 
gence, high standing and religious zeal. He was a Congregational 
minister at Plymouth, but was converted to the Baptist views in 1680 by 
reading the narrative of Elder Russell of that denomination. Under John 
Cooke's guidance a Baptist society was formed in Dartmouth about 1685. 
Their first minister was Hugh ]\Iosher, who was followed by Aaron Davis. 
This is said to have been the seventh Baptist society formed on the 
American continent. The widely known stone church society whose 
house stands near the east line of Tiverton, R. I., at Adamsville, R. I.. 
is its successor. 

In the Old Colony records is this entry : 

"Att this Court, John Cooke, for breaking the Sabbath by un- 
nesessary travelling thereon, was fined ten shillings." 

This was probably after his residence at Oxford in Fairhaven com- 
menced and may have been brought about by the personal feeling of some 
of his religious opponents, and his offence that of travel in the line of 
Christian duty over to the above place of public worship. 

Backus wrote that Elder Cooke was the first Baptist minister in 



222 

Dartmouth. The Baptist movement spread eastward through the north- 
ern section of the town. The next society of the faith was at a place 
which was subsequently named Hixville from the first pastor of the 
society. Elder Daniel Hix, who was famous in his day as a preacher and 
organizer. He pushed the work along eastward and the next house of 
worship of the sect was the "Abner Lewis Meeting house," so called, 
erected about 1774 at the northwest corner of this town. Towards the 
rising sun the movement of the Baptists proceeded under the inspiration 
and direction of Elder Hix till it reached Long Plain, and here the long 
and varied history of a society commenced more than a century ago, 
named in its act of incorporation, "The First Baptist Society of New 
Bedford," of which town Long Plain was then a part. Elder Hix was 
laboring with this people before 1785, for on that date he baptized there a 
young man by the name of Tucker Taber. This was a marked event in 
the histor}^ of the society, for Mr. Taber was a gifted public speaker, who 
afterwards became a preacher, and at once associated himself with Elder 
Hix ill the work. Great religious interest was manifested here in the 
winter of 1786-87, resulting in the organization of the society on the 27th 
of April of the latter year, consisting of the following persons: Lucy 
Babcock, Peace Hammon (Hammond). Preserved and Anna Merrihew, 
John and Rebecca Summerton, INIary Easterbrook, Thomas and Comfort 
Taber, Abigail and Patience Rightington (Wrightington), John and 
Phebe Blackemore (Blackmer), Mary Sands, Experience Fuller, Ruth and 
Phebe Caine (Kane?). 

Alexander Mason was ordained deacon. The Sunday services were 
held at the home of' John and Rebecca Summerton. The first Sunday of 
the following July, 1788, Elder Hix baptized at Long Plain, Luis Gilford, 
Jenne Wiston, Sarah Blackmore, Desire Soge, Rhoda Rouse, Remembrance 
Gifford, Welthea Taber and Lydia Merrihew ; on the last Sunday of that 
month Simeon Fuller, Mary Grey, Lydia Taber, Eleanor Gilford, Mary 
Keen 'and Sarah Soge. Elder Hix wrote on the 16th of the following 
September: "Thank God for this outpouring of his spirit." Scores of 
persons were added to the church in the near future. 

Thursday, Aug. 8, 1795, "A Public Meeting for Building A Baptist 
Meeting Houfe on the Long Plain" was held at the residence of Deacon 
Silas Sweet. Deacon Sweet and Elder Hix were appointed a committee 
to "select a lot of land." They selected a plat which Joseph Samson 
offered for the purpose, the consideration being "a pue in s*^ houfe." The 
lot was on the west side of the road at the end of the Rochester road, 
and in 1796 Joseph Samson conveyed this tract of "eight rods square to 
Joseph Pierce, Amos Bradley, Jesse Keen and others Proprietors, * * 
bounded north by land of Elizabeth Allen." The church was built just 
south of the present Baptist meeting house. The building was 40 x 46 
feet, facing the south, where there was an entrance and one at the east. 
It was shingled and unpainted. Inside there were wide galleries on three 



223 

sides of the house, and the usual tall pulpit. "Joseph pierce, Amos Braley 
and Capt. Jeffe keen" had charge of the construction, which began the 
year the ground was purchased. The first bill contracted on the church 
is dated July 30, 1796, and was for "lumber and other materials." Among 
the "other materials" was "seven gallons of West India rum," an indis- 
pensable article in building and dedicating a church in those primitive 
times. The labor was evidently performed by men in the neighborhood 
and most of the materials were furnished by them. The society voted 
that credit should be given "Each proprietor for materials And Cash 
which they turned in for s^^ houfe Separately." The credits recorded 
are interesting reading. Here are a few of them : 

Joseph pierce. To one gallon of rum, 10s. Oct. 28, 1796. (Mr. 
Pierce was clerk of the society and chairman of the building committee.) 
To IGi/o lbs. of Veal, and Butter and Sauce, $1.17c. 
To two days work on Meeting House, $1.33. (Probably ten hours 
per day.) 

To Stephen Taber. "One gallon of Rum for raifing. $1.66c. 7 
mo." June 1, 1796. 

Paid Abram Morton. By the hand of Afa. s. 19. 
To giting one sil 46 feet Long 10 inches Square. $1. 
To Cash and Mutton, Mis Samfon. 

It was not till Feb. 18, 1800, that "the pulpit was ordered built," 
and it was then voted to sell the "Pue spots" at auction, and proprietors 
were authorized to build their own pews thereon. This was certainly a 
novel method of seating a meeting house. The society built on the 
unsold "Spots." 

Aug. 29, 1803, it was "Voted to give elder hix a Call to preach hear 
two Sundays in A Month," which he accepted, nnd fixed his salary at $50 
per year. In 1805 it was raised to $55. This was about $2 per Sunday 
for driving about twenty miles and preaching two sermons. He had other 
sources of revenue. He skilfully tilled his little farm at Hixville and 
there he manufactured wash tubs, water pails an^ pounding barrels. 
He took orders for these utensils and delivered them on his preaching 
tours. A half tone of Elder Hix astride his faithful horse with some of 
the above articles strapped on the quadruped, as related to the writer 
by one who saw, would make an attractive addition to this book. One 
who knew him and frequently heard him speak related to me that he 
was an interesting, intelligent, convincing speaker and always drew a large 
audience, that he was fond of hunting and would frequently bring his 
dog and gun in his old chaise on Saturday and enjoy the sport on the 
way. He supplied the pulpit here till his eightieth birthday, when he 
preached his farewell sermon. He died in 1838. 

The people manifested a generous Christian purpose when they voted 
soon after the house was constructed 

"That when the Baptist Church or Society Was not using s*^ 



224 



houfe that Any proprieter Shall have the privelidg of s^ honfe for 
Any Traveling minifter that holds to the Doctrin of Christ to worship 
the best Being By Aplying to the Door keeper. ' ' 

This society had no legal existence till its incorporation by an act 
of the legislature, approved March 14, 1805, designating it as "The First 
Baptist Society in New Bedford. ' ' 

The Baptist Society that worships in their present church on William 
street in New Bedford is known as "The First Baptist church of New 
Bedford," l)ut it was not organized until 1812, eight years later than the 
one at Long Plain. 

Here is a list of the names of the incorporators found on the records 
of the church. The initials following the names indicate the towns where 
they probably lived : Acushnet, Freetown, Mattapoisett, Rochester. 

Ebenezer L. Foster, R. 
William Whitridge, R. 
Jesse Keen, A. 



Ebenezer Keen, A. 
Alden Spooner, A. 
Joseph Pierce, M. 
Robert Miller. 
Amos Braley, F. 
Lemuel Winslow. R. 
Thomas Sherman, R. 
Nicholas Crapo, R. 
Ebenezer Morton, F. 
William White. Jr., A. 
Lothrop Lewis. 
Asa Braley, F. 
Geo. Douglass, R. 
William Gammons, A. 
Thomas Gifford. 
William Tobey, 2d, A. 
Phinias White, A. 
Barnabas Clark, R. 
Seth Bumpus, A. 
Abraham Ashlev, Jr., F. 
David Peirce, A. 
Nathaniel Downs, F. 
George Tabef A. 
Thomas White, A. 
Ezekiel Cushman, R. 
Micah Winslow, R. 



Walter Spooner, A. 
Ebenezer Keen, Jr., A. 
Josenh Bennett, A. 
Ellis IMandell, A. 
Meletiah Morse, A. 
Paul Winslow, R. 
IMilburne Omey, A. 
Joseph Taber, A. 
Sylvester Bumpus, R. 
Aaron Davis, A. 
Joseph Whitridge, R. 
Percival Ashley. 
Job Morton, F. 
Nathaniel Morton, F. 
Joseph Taber, A. 
Sylvester Bumpus, R. 
Aaron Davis, A. 
Hezikiah Purington, M. 
Joshuarway Vincent. 
Nathaniel Sears, R. 
Nathaniel Sears, Jr., R. 
Joseph Whiter age, R. 



30 



on 



"All the male members" of the society met in the church on May 
1805, and perfected an organization under the above act. 
Up to this date, for a period of two decades, this society had sailed 
its voyage without encountering any adverse winds or currents, but 
now there appeared a denominational current which was to alter the 
chosen route. Rev. Elias Smith was in the eonnnunity preaching the 
belief and principles of the so called "Christian" sect. To the surprise 
and amazement of most every one. Elder Hix, who was generally believed 
to be unalterably established on a Baptist foundation, became a convert 
to the "new doctrine," as he termed it and was ever after loyal to it. The 



225 

attitude of the Baptist clergy to this new doctrine is indicated by an inter- 
esting incident at the Groton Baptist Conference which was held at the 
Long Plain church June 24-25, 1807. Elder Hix, who was tactful and not ^ 
yet fully in the ranks of the Christian denomination, was the choice 
of the majority to deliver the conference sermon. Elder Smith's follow- 
ers preferred him. It is recorded that "When the business was con- 
cluded the second day. Elder Hix gave notice that Brother Smith would 
preach in fifteen minutes from that time, upon which the ministers took 
their hats and coats and went out in a pouring rain. ' ' No one doubted 
where Elder Hix stood after this episode. The injection and acceptance 
of the new doctrine was the cause of the Baptist society ceasing to 
actively exist as such a few years later, for a considerable time. The last 
transaction on its records is dated March 21, 1814. From the close of 
Elder Hix's ministry here till 1837 there were no pastois except one 
occasionally engaged for a few months at a time. Rev. Israel Wood 
supplied the pulpit for a while about this date. 

Rev. John Leland preached in the old house. This is the man who 
in 1812, it is recorded, got up a mammoth cheese, weighing over a ton, 
which was pressed in a cider mill, hauled to AVashington by four horses, 
and presented to President Madison. In April, 1837, Elder Samuel Wilde 
of the Christian denomination, who had resided here, returned and 
preached here a year. There had been no Sunday school since 1823, 
but Mr. W^ilde, with the assistance of Miss Elizabeth Ashley, daughter 
of Capt. Williams Ashley, organized a school and it was continued 
through the year, Jones Robinson serving as assistant superintendent. 
Mr. Wilde writes, "My salary this year was one load of good oak chips 
presented by Thomas Davis," a village grocer. 

The first Sunday school at Long Plain was held in the summer of 
1822. Susan, wife of Dr. Rounseville Spooner, a member of the Unitarian 
church, and Allathea, daughter of Nicholas Davis, a Friend, called the 
children together in a schoolhouse which stood just at the back of the 
carriage sheds in the Friends' yard, where they taught them the old 
Westminster Catechism and Scripture texts and furnished them with 
tracts. It was held again the following summer, but no longer. 

This brings religious matters at the old church down to 1837, when 
the remaining members of the Baptist society were few and inactive, and 
those of the Christian denomination were an unorganized body and 
manifested little interest in the work. For the future of these two sects 
in Acushnet see subsequent articles. 

FRIENDS' SOCIETY Friends at the north end of Acushnet became so 
AT LONG PLAIN numerous that they desired a meeting house in 

their midst, which was four miles north of the 
Friends' house at Parting Ways, mentioned above. Their application to 
the Monthly Meeting for permission to do this was granted and the 



226 



meeting house lot which has been iTsed as snch ever since was conveyed by 
Nathan Davis to John and Nehemiah Sherman. Daniel Wing and Nicholas 
Davis of Acushnet and Russell Braley of Rochester, 9th mo., 10th, 1759. 
This was on the west side of Long Plain road, a half mile north of 
Rochester road, and at the southeast corner of what was formerly the 
homestead farm of Benjamin Pierce. This' lot was subsequently enlarged 
to its present dimensions by land conveyed on the 29th of Jan., 1811, 
from Alden Hammond to Nathan and Obediah Davis. 

According to what seems to be reliable information the house was 
constructed in 1735, four years before the legal transfer of the lot. The 
original house stood about where the present one does. The building was 
30 X 40 feet two stories with galleries, the longest dimension east and 




Phf)to. by Jaiut'S E. Reed, New Bedford 

FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE AT LONG PLAIN 



west; facing the south according to the custom then; two doors on the 
front, one for men who sat on one side of the house to enter, and the 
other for women. Chimneys and fireplaces were built several years after 
the house was constructed, but no stoves except foot stoves were ever 
permitted there. 

When the old house had served a century as the religious home of this 
people, it sadly needed reconstructing. This was done on its one hun- 
dredth anniversary. New sheds were built, a vestibule added and stoves 
put in. In 1900 the house was entirely remodeled inside. New seats 
with cushions were put in, the wood work was painted, which had never 
been done before ; carpets were laid, blinds hung. etc. The old graveyard 
was graded and seeded to grass. No headstones therein contain inscrip- 
tions excepting those erected in recent years. There were evidences 
before the grading that there were two liundnH: or move graves there, 
but it is safe to assume there Avere manv more than that number of bodies 



227 

placed in this terrestrial house of the dead. 

Richard Davis, Sr., was the superintendent of the Meeting from 1860 
till his death, when he was succeeded by his son Richard. The latter 
has been superintendent of the Bible school since it was organized in 
1860. This Meeting was in the Sandwich IMonthly Meeting till it was 
annexed to the Dartmouth Monthly Meeting, where it now is. 

Among the efficient Friends' ministers of the Gospel who were mem- 
bers of this Meeting were Nicholas, Obediah and Ruth Davis. The latter 
was an unusually gifted speaker and successful in her divine mission. 
Obediah was clerk of New Bedford Monthly Meeting. He resided on 
the north side of Quaker lane. 

More information relating to Friends in Acushnet is given in an 
article on "Friends Society at Parting Ways," where there is a half tone 
wdiich is a fac-simile of the interior of the former house here. 

THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH As related above, many of the 
OF NORTH FAIRHAVEN members of the Baptist society 

and congregation at Long Plain 
became sympathizers with the principles of the Christian denomination. 
This faction did not organize, however, till religious efl^orts at the old 
church had almost ceased. Then a majority of this contingent resided in 
the Perry Hill neighborhood. Here the movement to form a new society 
was agitated till on the 15th of October, 1837, a meeting was held "Att 
the Schol house of D^perry and adopted a constitution for a religious 
society to be called the First Christian Church of North Fairhaven," 
which section is now Acushnet. This schoolhouse stood where the present 
one stands at the southwest corner of Mendall and Perry Hill roads. John 
Perry was or had been a deacon at the Long Plain church. He was a 
highly esteemed and leading man in the community, residing across the 
way north from the schoolhouse. Israel Wood was received into mem- 
bership on the 3d of February, 1839, and on the 29th of the following 
June he was chosen as "our Preacher for one half of the time for the 
ensuing year." The Monthly Conference Meetings on Saturdays were 
held alternately at the Perry Hill and Whelden schoolhouses and the 
Long Plain meeting house. 

At a business meeting Sept. 26, 1840, these officers were elected: 
Clerk, Charles JMorse ; treasurer, William Jenne ; deacons, John Perry 
and James Hammett ; collector, Joshua INIorse. At the same time it was 
voted that communions be holden at the Long Plain Meeting House. 
Whether all the other Sunday services were held there at first or not does 
not appear, but all of these and the conferences were held there later. 

November 13, 1841. Ansel White was chosen clerk and a body of five 
elders consisting of John IManter, Samuel Taber, Luther Crapo, IMason 
Taber and Isaac Bisbee were appointed to "settle all difficulties among 
the men * * * and to advise all delinquent members to be attentive 



228 

to public worship." It was also voted "that a committee of three be 
chosen from the female department of the church to act with the male 
elders in case of trouble with any of the Sisters." In 1842 the elders 
were Phineas White, James Hammett, William Jenney, John Manter and 
George Mendall ; deacons, John Perry and James Hammett ; collector, 
Leonard Gammons. 

About this date there commenced a great religious awakening. The 
record reports that on KSaturday evening, March 26, 1842, there were "53 
persons at the Anxious Seat" and the next day "eighty partook of the 
Holy communion." The following Saturday, April 2, at the regular 
church meeting at Long Plain there were "33 members .under the watch 
care of the chvirch." Before the close of April the membership numbered 
one hundred and fourteen. Among them were many heads of families and 
some of the leading men and women in the town. 

The height of this miraculous work was reached in 1842 or soon after 
that date, when the spiritual tide slowly ebbed, till it reached its lowest 
point eight years later. This conclusion is confirmed by the meagre 
information on the records; by the absence of any record from 1843 to 
1846 and by the following confession made at a church meeting Dec. 28, 
1850, when it was "resolved that the low state of religion in this place, 
and the painful fact that there once existed a church composed of many 
members, and there are now but a few * * * We agree to start 
anew and walk together in Christian fellowship." This lamentation over 
the decline and almost demise of the church which had been such a power 
in leading souls into paths of righteousness was at the residence of Dea. 
John Perry, only a stone's throw from the place of its birth thirteen 
years before. An interesting coincidence is that this resurrection and 
consecration service resulted in a meeting at the schoolhouse, where the 
society came into existence, on the 3d of August, 1851, 

"A constitution for a new meeting house was adopted." A correct 
interpretation of this record is that the "constitution" was that of the 
present Perry Hill church, and the place was where the former society 
began its remarkable record. From 1837 to 1851 one hundred and sixty 
persons or more joined this society and many began a professed 
Christian life in its meetings who joined other churches. 

Rev. Israel Wood was the pastor of this organization through its 
existence. He was a man -of marked piety, a good public speaker and 
successful in his work among the people, as the above records show. 
His home was the William Jenney farm, on the south side of the road 
east of Perry Hill, which he cultivated. From this society evolved the 
present Perry Hill church. The old meeting house at Long Plain was 
probably demolished in 1853, as on the 5th of February of that year it 
was voted by the proprietors "to sell it and deposit the proceeds of the 
sale in the New Bedford Institution for Savings." Capt. Williams Ashley 
and John Manter were authorized to auction the property, 



229 

PRESENT BAPTIST The original Baptist society at Long Plain, 

CHURCH AT LONG PLAIN as stated above, became inactive through 

circumstances beyond human control. A 
number of persons of that faith reorganized the society in 1838, on the 
16th day of October. A council composed of representatives of 
Baptist churches at New Bedford, Fall River, Middleborough, and Long 
Plain, met at the latter place and installed Rev. Ira Leland as pastor. 
The same day the following named persons, in response to their request, 
were organized a Baptist society of the Taunton association: Rev. Ira 
Leland, Williams Ashley, Delana Ashley, Alice P. Robinson, Chloe Robin- 
son, Love M. Sears, Freelove Hathaway, Silas F. Sears, Mary R. Davis 
and Ann H. Davis. Mr. Leland remained with the church about two 
years, when he went to the Second Baptist church at Barnstable. He 




Photo, liy .las. E. Keed, New Bedford 

BAPTIST CHURCH AT LONG PLAIN 

returned to the pastorate of this church, however, on the 1st of April, 
1844, much to the pleasure of his former parishioners. Under his admin- 
istration the church continued to prosper and resulted in building the ■ 
present church structure near the site of the old one. Meantime the 
society worshipped in the building of the Long Plain Boarding School. 
The present church was dedieated April 28, 1847. A month after the 
dedication of the new church Mr. Leland accepted a call to Lexington, 
Mass., and the society was again without a pastor. No settled minister 
was with the church till 1848. During this time the pulpit was supplied 
by Rev. Messrs. Ryder, Alden, Roberts and J. S. Whittemore. Mr. 
Whittemore was the settled pastor from 1848 to 1856. Among those who 
have been employed as ministers here since the latter date are W. W. 



230 

Meecli, 1857 to 1860 ; Abner D. Gorham, 1860 to 1862 ; Josephus W. Hor- 
ton, 1864 to 1868 ; Kilburn Holt, 1868 to 1871 ; John H. Learned, 1871 to 
1872; Simeon P. Lewy, 1872 to 1873; Enoch M. Wilson, 1874 to 1886; 
Alexander H. Murray, 1887 to 1889 ; Chas. H. Sisson, 1889 to 1890 ; Brown 

E. Smith, 1890 to 1894 ; Samuel S. Frost, 1894 to 1896. 

Since 1896 the pulpit has been supplied by student pastors from 
Newton Theological Seminary, as follows : 

J. H. Davis, 1896 ; Chas. Schweikert, 1896 ; Eugene H. Stover, 1898 ; 
Frederic L. Boody, 1898; Mr. Wilson, 1899; D. M. McPhail, 1899; J. 
Bruce Gilman, 1900; Harry S. McCready, 1903; Ernest S. Potter, 1905; 
Henry A. Cook, 1906. 

The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, which was or- 
ganized in 1894, has had for presidents: Miss Emma Gooch, 1894 to '96. 
Dennis Mason, 1896 to 1902. William E. Collins, 1902 to '03. Miss Emma 

F. Bennett, from 1903 to the present time. 

About one hundred different persons have joined this church since 
1837. The following have served the society as clerks: Edward 
Spooner ; Abial P. Robinson, 1838 to 1874 ; Walter A. Davis, 1874 to 1892 ; 
William E. Collins, 1892 to 1897 ; Henry L. Allen, 1897 to 1898 ; William 
E. Collins since 1898. Joseph R. Davis, deceased, w^as a most efficient 
burden bearer of this church for many years. 



THE PERRY HILL The church organization whose house of wor- 

CHRISTIAN CHURCH ship is on Perry Hill is the direct successor of 

the First Christian church of North Fairhaven, 
as sketched in the above article on that society, and as stated there the 
date of its beginning was Dec. 28, 1850. 

The record states that "the Persons who first Composed this Church 
are Lemual Perry, John Blackmer, William Gammons, Joseph Taber, 
John Perry, William Jenne, Betsey M. Coin, Sibel White, Jane Cathell, 
Rebecca Tabor, Amy Cook, Abigail Gammons, Patience Cory, and Lois 
Blackmer." William Jenney was chosen the first "Cleark" and treas- 
urer, and William Gammons collector. Nothing appears in the records 
regarding the date of construction of the present church building, but 
one who was employed in its erection says it was in 1851. Until its 
comx)letion Sunday services were held in "D^ Perry's schol house." 
Only a little of the business of the society is recorded previous to Sept. 
1, 1851, and none of it from that date till May 6, 1867, when the society 
Avas reorganized and a new covenant adopted. No records are found 
from 1867 to 1875, nor from 1876 to 1883. This omission is most 
unfortunate. There is abundance of evidence that the present house of 
worship was completed and dedicated in 1851. The society wisely voted 
in 1867 to extend the right of franchise to women on all church matters, 
and it is safe to believe this act has never been regretted. 



231 

For obvious reasons it is impossible to compile a list of ministers 
who have served this parish. Recollections of elderly persons is all that 
has contributed to the following incomplete list, and such sources of 
information can never be perfectly reliable. 

The first minister was evidently William D. Haley for he was or- 
dained here early in 1851 as elder and on the 12th of June of that year 
he received persons into church fellowship. Mr. Haley had been in town 
but a short time at this date and removed from here two years later, 
meantime having procured the title of Reverend, and secured a wife. 
The latter was Archeldama, daughter of Eben Gammons, and a relative 
of Archelus Taber, hence her unique Christian name. Others were A. 




Photo, by Jas. E. Reed, New Bedford 

CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT PERRY HILL 



Jackson, 1866; M. R. Patterson, 1867; A. H. Francis, James Pierce, 1875; 
Ephraim Burroughs, 1883; I. H. Coe ; W. B. Flanders; B. S. Batchelor ; 
Elders Ward, Faunce, Greenwood and Frederick Tripp. 

There was great religious interest here the winter of 1866-67. Elder 
B. S. Batchelor extended the right hand of fellowship to twenty-seven 

persons in INIay, 1867. 

The officers of the society in 1889 were William Washburn, deacon ; 
George H. Fuller, collector and treasurer; Lucy H. W. Ellis, clerk; and 
in 1906 they were Thomas J. Robinson, deacon and treasurer ; Lucy H. W. 

Pratt, clerk. 

The Sunday School was reorganized in April, 1876. The following 

persons have served as officers since this date : 

Superintendents: Christian Ruchert, 1876; Geo. W. Hathaway, 



232 



1879-82; Thos. J. Robinson, 1880-1883-98-99-1900-01-02-03-04; Rev. 
Ephraim Burroughs, 1884-05 ; Ann H. Snow, 1886-87 ; Emma F. Lapoiut, 
1888-89-90 ; Mrs. Ann H. Perty, 1891-92-93 ; Emma F. Mclnnis, 1894-95-96 ; 
Chas. D. Bennett, 1897. The offiice of secretary and treasurer has been 
filled by Thos. J. Robinson, 1876-79; George A. Fuller, 1880; Emma F. 
Taber, 1882-83 ; Emma F. Lapoint, 1884 ; Ann H. Snow, 1885-86 ; Clara L. 
Sherman, 1887-88-89; Lizzie Bennett, 1890; Marshall C. Tripp, 1891-92-93; 
Eunice Bumpus, 1894; Mabel F. Bumpus, 1895; Edith M. Robinson, since 
1905. 

THE ADVENT The missionary efforts of Elder Daniel Hix 

RELIGIOUS SOCIETY .throughout this town more than a century ago 

have been related above. It is reliably stated 
that he baptized over 400 persons in the southern part of Bristol County 
in 1807. 




Photo, by James E. Reed, New Bedford 

CHAPEL OF THE ADVENT SOCIETY 

Among this number was Phineas "White and others of the White's Fac- 
tory neighborhood. Religious interest in that locality gradually in- 
creased. Services were held in the schoolhouse and in dwellings. This 
led to the formation of ' ' The North Fairhaven Advent Society. ' ' With this 
came the desire for a meeting house and a determination to erect one. 
Subscription papers were circulated and sufficient pledges of money were 
made to encourage the management to call a meeting to act on the ques- 
tion of building, at No. 3 schoolhouse in the Whelden neighborhood. 



233 

on the west side of the town, Feb. 8th, ]858. This was fully attended 
and much interest was manifested in the undertaking. The meeting 
chose Augustus White, secretary, and appointed the following committees. 
Building and finance: George P. Morse, Augustus White and Hervey 
B. Keen. Trustees : Joshua Morse, Jr., Henry B. Keen and Augustus 
White. The building committee purchased a lot of Philip Oniey, and a 
building of Augustus Harrington, formerly used by him as a tan house, 
which was moved to the lot. The process of construction commenced at 
once, men and boys of the place assisting in the work. Contributions 
from friends at Fairhaven and New Bedford aided and encouraged the 
people. 

John W. Crabtree was the minister at the time of building. No 
regular pastor was stationed here till 1888. Since then the following 
ministers have served the society, some of them for a continuous period of 
four years : F. S. Stratton, O. L. Waters, John W. Goodwin, Sr., Mary S. 
Ransom, James E. Seamans, H. C. Smith, M. McFadyen and N. L. McFad- 
ven. 

The original members of the society were Augustus White, Betsey 
W. White, Joshua T. and Roby T. Snow, Daniel V. and IMartha A. Smith, 
and Ruth W. ]\Ierrihew. Others joined soon afterwards. 

A Sabbath school was organized at the time the chapel was built and 
has been in continuous and profitable operation ever since, at times num- 
bering forty members. Augustus White has been superintendent of the 
school since its formation, and one of the foremost, efficient workers in 
the whole movement since its incipiency. His interest in the religious 
and moral welfare of the community, especially where the chapel is 
located, is manifested in manv wavs. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Regular church worship and system of 
AT ACUSHNET VILLAGE government of the Congregational 

type had not existed at Acushnet vil- 
lage and vicinity after it ceased in the ancient precinct church near 
Parting Ways, till 1828. There had no doubt been much talk of reviving 
it, as a number of the congregation of the old church and descendants of 
others lived here who were not in full sympathy with the other religious 
societies existing here, the Methodist and Friends. The proposition did 
not materialize, however, till on a Lord's Day in the month of February or 
March of the above year, when religious services of the Congregational 
order were held morning, afternoon and evening in the Phoenix school 
house, standing on the north side of Bridge street, a little east of the 
present dwelling house of Humphrey H. Swift, whose grandfather, Deacon 
Jonathan Swift, was one of the leaders in the enterprise, and whose resi- 
dence was the next house east of this schoolhouse. That the movement 
was favorably received is indicated by the fact that forty-four persons 
were present at one of these services. That these were heartilj^ inter- 



234 



ested in it is assured by the statement of persons who were present and 
in close touch with it for many years, that seventeen of them became 
members of the church that was evolved from this meeting within the 
next nine years, and fourteen more within the subsequent four years. 
The following are the names of the original seventeen: Joel Packard, 
Harmony Packard, Mary Russell, Susan Mayhew, Lucinda Taber, Mary 
Perry, Louisa Taber, Caroline Wagner, Jabez Hathaway, Hannah Hath- 
away, Samuel Savory, Nancy Snow, Katherine Pope, Annah W. Ball, 
Deborah Hathaway, Susan P. Mayhew, Mary Borden. Fourteen women 
and three men. The others of the historic forty-four were : Alden W. 
Ball, Abbie Russell, David Russell, John Lumbard, Mary Russell, Isaac 




Photo, by Jas. E. Reed, New Bedford 
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT ACUSHNET VILLAGE 



and ]\Iargaret Case, Lois Perry, Joan and Louisa Taber, Jonathan Swift, 
Susan and Nancy Snow, Duncan I., George and Leonard Perry, Sophronia 
and Maria Clark, Mary Briggs, Mary and Abbie Bourne, Sarah Pope, 
Hannah Hathaway, Jane Waggner, Lucy Nye and Varidda JMosher. 
Eight men and nineteen women. Then as now ! 

Congregations grew and the interest increased in such a measure that 
the schoolhouse was soon insufficient for the needs, and only two years 
elapsed before a church building was constructed on the spot where the 
present Congregational church stands on Acushnet avenue. This was 
originally a one-story building. It was later raised and a vestry built 
under it. It was destroyed by fire on Sunday afternoon, Peb. 5, 1865. 
The fire Avas first discovered in the wainscot of the audience room. 
But a few moments elapsed before the Hancock engine, whose house was 



235 

across the way, was pouring water into the building. At the end of two 
hours' heroic work of the company the devouring elements were appar- 
ently under control, but at this point the supply of water gave out. 
While the engine was moving the fire gained the mastery. The belief 
was that the fire caught from the furnace. The society at once erected 
the present attractive building, which was dedicated Jan. 10, 1867. It 
was renovated, beautified and made more comfortable within in 1889 and 
rededicated Sept. 15 of that year. 

The church has had an almost unbroken succession of pastorates, 
the longest being that of Daniel C. Burt, twenty-eight years. The follow- 
ing persons have served the parish as pastors : 

Pardon G. Seabury, 1830 to 1835. Edw. C. Fellows, 1891 to 1895. 

Daniel C. Burt, 1839 to 1857. Geo. W. C. Hill, 1895 to 1898. 

Asahel Cobb, 1857 to 1870. F. Lincoln Davis, 1899 to 1901. 

Wm. B. Hammond, 1870 to 1878. Henry B. Dyer, 1902 to 1903. 

Samuel C. Bushnell, 1879 to 1889. Wm. C. ]\Iartyn. 1904 to present 
Dalmer E. Craft, 1890 to 1891. time. 

The following are some of the past and present officers of the church: 

Deacons.— Thomas P. Potter, Gillira Kendrick, James H. Paige, Wil- 
liam S. White, Frederic B. Hawes. 

Clerks of the Church.— Pardon G. Seabury, 1830 to 1835 ; Daniel C. 
Burt, 1835 to 1857 ; Jones Robinson, 1857 to 1870 ; William B. Hammond, 
187o'to 1878; Frank C. Terry, 1878 to 1892; Edward C. Fellows, 1892 to 
1895 ; Frederic B. Hawes. 1895 to the present time. 

The present officers of the society are George A. Cobb, treasurer; 
Clifford P. Sherman, clerk. Trustees, Jonathan C. Hawes, Horatio N. 
Wilbur, George A. Cobb, Clifford P. Sherman, Frederic B. Hawes. 

Cyrus E. Clark was for many years clerk of the society and a guiding 
hand in its affairs. Clifford P. Sherman succeeded Mr. Clark to this 
office and has held it since. 

The three laymen, who have each covered long periods of time as 
Sunday School superintendents, are Jones Robinson, Daniel W. Kendrick 
and Frederic B. Hawes. 

THE LEWIS References have been made to the Lewis meeting 

MEETING HOUSE house and this seems to be the place to give some 

of its recorded and unwritten history. The organ- 
ization was one of the outcomes of the wave of religious interest which 
prevailed in the northerly section of Old Dartmouth under the zealous 
efforts and wise direction of Elder Hix, a famous Baptist minister of the 
last half of the eighteenth century. A brief sketch of this religious enter- 
prise is given here because the house stood near the Acushnet line and 
Abner Lewis, the minister, and many of the supporters of the church 
resided in this town. The following extract from Backus' History of the 



236 

Baptists, Vol. II, page 447, is a helpful introductory to this article. 

Referring to religious work in the locality which is now at the north- 
west corner of Acushnet, Backus writes that 

"It pleased God to pour out his Spirit here in 1773, when many 
were hopefully converted, and joined the Second Baptist church in 
Middleborough. The next year they obtained preaching among 
themselves, and they built them a house for worship, and formed 
a church there September 13, 1775, being regularly dismissed from the 
church they had joined in Middleborough, and Mr. Abner Lewis was 
ordained their pastor June 26, 1776. He was born in Middleborough 
March 16, 1745, joined the First Baptist church there in 1765, began to 
preach in 1770 and had preached in Freetown two years before he was 
ordained; and such a blessing was granted among them afterwards as 
increased their church to a hundred and twenty-eight members in 
1780. But the public difficulties in the country, with the unhappy 
temper of some of the members of the church, caused Mr. Lewis to 
ask a dismission from them, which he obtained in August, 1784 ; the 
behavior of some of this church has caused a number to ask and 
receive dismissions from it to other churches, while some have died 
and others removed away till they have become very small." 

The date of the erection of the church building is given by another 
writer as 1780, but Backus' date, 1775, is confirmed by the testimony of 
one of a company of soldiers attending service there in the Revolu- 
tionary War on the day of their departure for Boston. My efforts to 
establish the exact spot on which the meeting house stood have not been 
successful. It was on the west side of County road leading from New 
Bedford to Taunton. 

The approximate location of this house of worship is fixed by record 
evidence. Here is a copy of a bill of sale of a pew in this meeting house : 

" * * * do Bargain Sell Set over and Deliver unto the sd 
Benjamin White A Pew in y*^ Anne Baptist Meeting House standing 
in the line between Freetown and Dartmouth a little Distance North 
Easterly from Benjamin Hathaway 's. Called Mr. Lewis's Meeting 
House &c, Ebenezer Keen. 

In the presence of Jn° Tobey. 

This expression, "in the line," written more than a century ago 
ill such conveyances often referred to objects located near a line. 
One who has been for the past twenty years postmistress at East Freetown, 
now nearly eighty years of age with an exceedingly good 
memory, related to the writer that her father, a prominent man 
in the community and a regular attendant at religious services in this 
house, pointed out to her where the building stood. This site is 
on the west side of County road about 750 feet north of the line between 
New Bedford and Freetown. This spot now shows evidence of having 
formerly been clear of underbrush and taller woody growth, which now 
flank it north and south 500 feet in each direction along the highway. It 
is said that Elder Lewis' residence stood on the east side of the road 



237 

"on the town line." This is substantially confirmed by the following in- 
cident related to the writer by several persons who were born near the 
date of the decease of Elder Lewis. It is said that it was then illegal for 
a minister to marry persons in a town where he did not reside. Therefore 
Elder Lewis enjoyed a double patronage in this line as he could tie the 
knot in two towns at his fortunately located dwelling place. Land rec- 
ords show that Peregrine White, in 1778, sold to Abner Lewis 12 acres 
of land on the east side of the road and both sides of the town line. On 
this, elderly people say his dwelling stood. Again Nathaniel and Job 
Morton in 1795 sold to "Abner Lewis, Clerk," 60 acres on the west side 
of the road on both sides of the town line. Both of these tracts were 
conveyed by Abner Lewis in 1800 to William Trotter. The portion of 
this tract on the west side of the road extended nearly 800 feet north of 
the town line and the writer is satisfied the meeting house stood at the 
northeast corner of this portion. Lewis's deed to Trotter contains this 
clause : 

"Excepting the old Meeting House standing thereon and the 
land on which it stands and two rods breadth of land around it, pro- 
viding the Proprietor of said House will sufficiently fence said lot on 
all sides and keep the same forever in good and lawful repair." 

The "unhappy temper, and behavior" of some of the members of this 
church which led Elder Lewis to leave it in 1784, after nine years of 
service, was no doubt caused by the teaching of Elder Elias Smith, a 
disciple of the denomination called "Christians," which w^on Elder Hix 
and many others from the Baptist sect. This later also rui)tured the 
Baptist church at Long Plain. Dissension and disagreement on doctrine 
and ecclesiastical polity continued till the life of the organization ended, 
the date of which may not be known. The last name on the member- 
ship roll is Isaac Howland, received Sept. 5, 1790. Elder Lewis went from 
here to Harwich, Mass., where he preached five years; from there to 
Attleboro in 1789, where he was stationed till 1794, when he returned 
to his old home here. Probably no records of the society are in existence. 
Andrews's "Memoirs of Elder Daniel Hix" alludes to the possibility of a 
"Lewis meeting house" at Long Plain. There is no tradition nor proof 
that there was such a house there. The religious society that succeeded 
this at East Freetown, some of w^hose members were residents of this 
town, was organized when the "Christian Brethren met Nov. 9, 1831, in 
School House in district No. 13, Mason's Corner, for the purpose of 
forming a church." They decided Dec. 28, 1832, to build in that locality, 
which they did and the house was first occupied Nov. 30, 1833. This 
building stood for half a century or more, when its successor was erected 
at the village of East Freetown, a few feet west of County road, where it 
now stands. 



238 

CEMETERIES We are interested in locating not onl}^ the birthplace 
and the dwelling- places of relatives and close friends, 
but where they were laid when the mortal had put on immortality. 

Precinct Cemetery, one of the oldest historical landmarks in this 
section of the Commonwealth, is the graveyard at the top of "Burial 
Hill," so-called, near Parting "Ways. Some of the headstones of this old 
colonial cemetery, established in the reign of Queen Anne, have dates nearly 
back to the seventeenth century. There are nearly six hundred and fifty 
tombstones with names and dates npon them, and more than one thousand 
unlettered ones. The latter mark the resting places not only of some of 
the earliest settlers of Dartmouth, but of Plymouth Colony. The land 
for this ancient burying ground was a gift of John Jenne (or Jenney as 
now spelled), a copy of which is given below. 

It will be observed that IMr. Jenne did not make a legal conveyance 
of this lot till 1713-14, a half century after the earl}^ settlers came here, 
and as this was the only public graveyard within many miles of the spot 
when the transfer of the tract was made, suggests that Mr. Jenne may 
have verbally given the lot and it was used for that purpose several 
years before the deed of it was passed. The dates on the tombstones 
furnish no clue as to when the first burials were made, for without doubt 
there were no inscribed headstones erected to them. Grave diggers in 
this place one hundred years ago have assured friends of the writer that 
bodies have been found two deep in many places, and it is believed 
to have been long before 1700 when the first of these were buried there. 
It is said that some of the first comers here had relatives brought from 
their burial places at Plymouth and laid in this graveyard. 

For many years previous to 1879 the spot was sadly neglected. 
Headstones w^ere thrown out of position by the frost, and some were lying 
upon the ground. There was a perfect tangle of underbrush and briers, 
shrubbery and trees, and these prophetic words on one of the tombstones 
in the midst of this chaos : 

"The living know that they must die, % 
But all the dead neglected lie," 

had truly come to pass. A meeting of public-spirited men of the com- 
munity was held in the village Feb. 12, 1879, to consider the matter of 
renovating the sacred spot. This resulted in organizing a company for 
that purpose. The Grove Hill Cemetery Co. was suggested as the name of 
the organization, l)ut it was decided to call it the "Acushnet Cemetery 
Association." The original officers were Cyrus E. Clark, president; John 
A. Russell, secretary, and Quncan I. Perry, treasurer. These and other 
philanthropic citizens luidertook the renovation of this city of the silent 
dead. They did their work faithfully and received the public gratitude 
for it. Since that time it presents a far different appearance, and it 
is refreshing to see this old spot in a new dress. Although about one 



239 

hundred trees were left, thirty-three cords of wood were cut out from the 
place, which can with double significance be called "God's acre." The 
balance of the trees were pruned, the unsightly briers and brambles 
removed, the ground all turfed over, and the headstones re-erected. Air. 
Humphrey H. Swift, whose ancestors of more than a century ago lie 
there, caused the enlargement of the old cemetery by generously pre- 
senting to the association three and one-half acres of land in the rear of 
it, to give room for more graves and for private lots. A strip of land was 
purchased on the west for an avenue, which runs the whole length of the 
ground. On the east side of this is what was once the tomb of the George 
and Ellis Mendell families. The heirs presented it to the cemetery. It 
was brought from the Mendell homestead, which is some two and a half 
miles to the northeast of the village, and is now a public vault. The 
association became "The Acushnet Cemetery Corporation" in 1897, under 
the statutes of the Commonwealth. . The officers of the company are now 
Clement N. Swift, president; John A. Russell, secretary; Allen Russell, 
Jr., treasurer; all of Acushnet. Lots in the new part are for sale, and 
perpetual care of lots is provided for. 

The roadway along the south was on a level with the lot when the 
church was built on it. The stone wall along its front was not built, of 
course, till the grade of the road was lowered. There were no trees on the 
lot till after the church was removed, when they came into growth from 
seeds which birds probably brought there, and they thereby unconsciously 
contributed towards making this barren, cheerless place more attractive 
in appearance. 

Many of the earlier coffins were "dug outs." A trunk of a tree was 
hollowed, the body placed therein, and pieces of board nailed on the ends 
or cap closed the receptacle. 

Headstones with inscriptions to mark the graves were rare before the 
opening of the last century, and most of them were imported. Few could 
afford anything more expensive than a rough, unhewn field stone. 

When funerals were held in a church that had a bell it was the prac- 
tice for the bell ringer to station himself in the belfry and watch for the 
approaching procession. At sight of it the bell struck three times if a 
child, six if a woman, and nine if a man. Then the number of years of 
the age of the deceased Avere tolled slowly, and repeatedly till the pro- 
cession was halted at the church. This practice has been observed by the 
writer. Religious services at a burial were very unusual before the year 
1700. The}' were limited to distinguished persons and church officials. 

Another custom at funerals which was hugely relished by many was 
the public invitation given at the close of the services to relatives to dine 
at the late home of the deceased. This was a sumptuous feast which 
neighbors and friends had been two or three days in the home providing 
for the occasion. There was plenty to eat and at many homes an 
abundance to drink, including rum, hard cider and beer. 



240 

The following is a correct copy of the original deed of this tract : 

To all Christian people to whome these Presents Shall Come, 
John Jenne Senr. of the town of Dartmouth in the County of Bristol 
And Province of the Massechnsets Bay in New England Sendeth 
greeting. 

Know ye that I the sd. John Jenne hath for & in Consideration 
of the want of a Convenient Burying Place but more Esptially a 
Place whereon to Set or Build an house or Houses for the people of 
god (Jailed Presbyterians orderly to Essemble and meet in for The 
Carrying on of the true worship of god as also Because he the Sd. 
John Jenne Veryly Belives in his heart that the Prysbyterians do 
worship god after the due 'Order most agreable to the order of the 
primitive Christians, by these Presents Given granted Enfeoffed 
aliened & confirmed unto the Sd. Presbyterians for the End and use 
aforesaid one acre of Land Lying and Being in the township of Dart- 
mouth aforesaid, where the meeting House Built by the Sd. Presby- 
terians now stands, Butted and Bounded Westerly Northerly Easterly 
by the Land of Sd. John Jenne and Southerly on or by the County 
Road, with all the Trees, Herbiage Priveledges and Apportenances 
Liberties Profits and Benifits Belonging or in au}^ ways appertaining 
To the same, to have and to hold the above Sd. acre of Land with all 
and Singuler The Priveledges &c. as afore Sd. unto the only proper 
use benifit & behoof of them the Sd. Presbiterians for Ever, and the 
Sd. John Jenne Doth by these Presents Covenant and Promise for 
him Self his hirs Executers administraters & assigns to and with 
the Sd. Prispiterians that the Sd. John Jenne is the true and Proper 
Owner of the above Sd. Bargained Primises Before and at the 
Ensealing & Delivery of These Presents, and to give and Convey the 
Same, and that it is free and clear and freely & Clearly acquited & 
Discharged of and From all other former gifts grants Bargains Sales 
and all other acts of Incombrance whatever, & that the Sd. Presby- 
terians Shall and may forever Hereafter have hold & quietly & 
Peaceably Posess & iii.joy the above given Primises In a good and 
Perfect Estate of inheritance in Fee Simple without any Let Suit 
hindrance or Molestation from the Sd. John Jenne his heirs executers 
administraters or assigns or any Other Person or Persons what soever, 
and will warrant & Defend the Same against the Ijawfull Claims of 
any Person or Persons What soever unto the Said Presbyterians 
For Ever, in witness whereof the sd. John Jenne hath hereunto Set 
his hand And Seal this twenty & fifth day of march in the thirteenth 
year of her Majesties Reign Annoqe. Domini one thousand Seven 
hundred and thirteen. 

Signed Sealed & Delivered 

In Presence of His 

Samuel Hunt, John X Jenne 
Jabez Delano. mark 

Dartmouth March the 25th A. D. 1714. on this day the above Sd. 
John Jenne Personally Appeared Before me one of his majts. Justices 
of the Peace for the County of Bristol and acknowledged the above 
writen Instrument to be his own Valletary act and deed. 

Seth Pope 
Bristol Ss. Brought to Be Recorded august 6. 



241 



The following is a valuable list for reference of 

are on the headstones in the old grounds. 

ADAMS, WALLEY, son of Capt. Walley, age 19, 

AKIN, CAPT. EBENEZER, age 54, 

AKIN, ABIGAIL, wife of Ebenezer; her second husband 

age 5 6, 
ALLEN, REBECCA, daughter of William, age 22, 
ALLEN, WILLIAM, son of Elijah, infant, 
ALLEN, LUCRETIA, wife of Samuel, age 19, 
ALLEN, WILLIAM R., age 2 6, 
ALLEN, PERRY G., son of Elishub, age 2, 
ALLEN, STEPHEN W., son of Elishub, age 10 months, 
ALLEN, JETHRO, age 64, 
ALLEN, SUSANNA, his wife, age 3 9, 
ALLEN, WILLIAM, their son, age 22, 
ALLEN, REBEKAH, daughter of Eleazer, infant, 
ALLEN, JAMES, son of Eleazer, died at sea, age 19, 
ALLEN, LAVINIA, H., daughter of Hezekiah, age 14, 
ALLEN, HEZEKIAH, son of Hezekiah, age 4, 
ALLEN, HENRY C, son of Hezekiah, infant, 
AMES, JOSIAH S., son of Joshua, age 1, 
ANDREWS, THEODORE F., son of Thomas, age 4, 
ANDREWS, ABBIE J., daughter of Thomas, 
ARMSBY, BROWNELL, age 86, 
ARMSBMY, SARAH, his wife, age 80, 



names and dates that 

died April 7, 17 92 

died Nov. 16, 1770 

was Jethro Hathaway, 

died April 28, 1781 

died Oct. 10, 1775 

died May 27, 1774 

died May 8, 1770 

died Aug. 29, 1837 

died May 16, 1835 

died May 28, 1835 

died April 10, 1812 

died March 5, 1790 

died Sept. — , 1798 

died March 11, 1796 

died Jan. 4, 1811 

died April 16, 1843 

died July 3, 1831 

died July 18, 1831 

died May 9, 1827 

died June 25, 1852 

died Feb. 25, 1844 
died March 19, 1838 



died March 7, 1771 

died Sept. 20, 1772 

died April 23, 1846 

died July 23, 1821 

died April 5, 1836 

died Oct. 25, 1820 

died March 16, 1749-50 

died Oct. 6, 1787 



BABCOCK, GEORGE, age 79, 

BAILEY, FRANCIS, age 2 7, 

BAKER, HANNAH, wife of Charles, age 57, 

BARNEY, FRANK, 

BATES, ANSON A., son of Capt. Joseph, age 1, 

BESSE, LOT, age 59, 

BESSE, ALDEN, his son, age 17, 

BLACKWELL, JOANNE, wife of Nathaniel, age 65, 

BLACKWELL, BETHANY, wife of John, age 61, 

BLACKWELL, JEHANAH, dau. of Nath'l and Jehanah, age 2, 

died Nov. 13, 1724 
BLOSSOM, SAMUEL, son of Benjamin, 
BLOSSOM, MEHETABLE, wife of Joseph, age 89-6, 
BLOSSOM, BATHSHEBA, wife of Benjamin, 
BLOSSOM, BENJAMIN, age 76, 

BLOSSOM, ABISHAI, son of Benjamin, age 9 months, 
BLOSSOM, LEVI, son of Benjamin, age 8, 
BOOTH, JOHN, age 31, 

BORDEN, SAMUEL, JR., son of Capt. Samuel, age 45, 
BORDEN, BETSEY, wife of Samuel, age 2 6, 
BRAYTON, JEDIDAH, age 41, 
BRIGGS, MRS. BETSEY, wife of Rev. .lohn, dau. of Deacon Jireh Swift, age 55, 

died Nov. 2 7, 1825 
BUMPUS, HYRAM, son of Seth, infant, died Sept. 11, 1811 

BURG, DR. BENJAMIN, age 40, died Sept. 18, 1748 

BURG, MERCY, his wife, age 3 6, died July 4, 1746 

BURGESS, DOROTHY, wife of Thomas, age 25, died Feb. 25, 1777 

BURGESS, infant son of Thomas, died Jan. 25, 1777 



died March 16, 

died 

died Oct. — , 

died June — , 

died May 3, 

died March 24, 1812 

died Aug. 18, 1847 

died Nov. 8, 1802 

died 1849 



1771 
1796 
1797 
1785 
1785 



242 

CASE, GEORGE W., son of Isaac, age 3, died Feb. 21, 1825 
CASWELL, LUCINDA, wife of George, age 5 6, died Jan. 23, 1847 
CATHELL, HENRY N., son of James, age 3, died Sept. 2 3, 1814 
CATHELL, JANE T., daughter of James, infant, died Oct. 4, 1812 
CATHELL, CALEB S., son of James, infant, died 1813 
CATHELL, BETSEY, daugliter of James, infant, died Oct. 17 
<::;ATHELL, molly, daughter of James W., infant, died March 16, 1775 
CHAFFEE, DEACON JOHN, age 74, died Jan. 21, 1811 
CHAFFEE, RUTH, his wife, age 69, died Feb. 26, 1808 
CHAFFEE, RUTH, his daughter, age 19, died June 26, 1786 
CHAFFEE, CAPT. EZRA, age 36, died Nov. 26, 1800 
CHAFFEE, DEBORAH, his wife, age 30, died Oct. 16, 1798 
CHAFFEE, JOHN, their son, age 5, died Oct. 21, 1802 
CHAPMAN, ELIZABETH, wife of John, age 45, died Jan. 29, 1725-6 
CHEEVER, ESTHER, wife of Rev. Israel, age 29, died April 28, 1761 
CHEEVER, DANIEL, their son, infant, died Nov. 8, 1757 
CHURCH, CHARLES, drowned, age 53, died May 13, 1793 
CHURCH, DEBORAH, wife of Charles, daughter of Colonel Manasseh Kemp- 
ton, age 28, died May 3, 1798 
CHURCH, LOIS, daughter of Charles, infant, died May 10, 17 98 
CHURCH, SUSANNA, daughter of Capt. Benjamin, infant, died Feb. 14, 1776 
CHURCH, ABRAHAM, son of Capt. Benjamin, age 6, died June 3, 1784 
CHURCH, CAPT. NATHANIEL, age 57, died Jan. 22, 1748 
CHURCH, INNOCENT, his wife, age 84, died April 17, 1778 
CHURCHILL, CAPT. CHARLES, lost at sea, age 33, died Dec. 16, 1799 
CHURCHILL, CLARISSA, daughter of Jedidah, infant, died July 27, 1798 
CLARK, CAPT. DAVID, age 66, , died April 8, 1809 
CLARK, SARAH, his wife, age 50, died Nov. 17, 1797 
CLARK, PHEBE, their daughter, age 17, died Aug. 17, 1790 
CLARK, BETSEY, wife of Capt. Cornelius, age 66, died June 25, 1816 
CLARKE, ROGER, son of James and Susanna, age 19, died Aug. 4, 1773 
CLARKE, ELISHA, son of James and Susanna, age 6, died Feb. 2 7, 17 67 
CLARKE, ELIZABETH, dau. of James and Susanna, age 2, died Oct. 7, 1770 
CLARKE, SARAH, daughter of James and Susanna, age 2, died Dec. 6, 1772 
CLARKE, SUSANNA, dau. of James and Susanna, age 1, died Aug. 13, 1751 
CLARKE, SUSANNA, 2d dau. of James and Susanna, infant, died Nov. — , 1752 
CLARKE, JAMES, age 48, died March 15, 1775 
CLAGHORN, BENJAMIN, son of Colonel George, age 17, died Feb. 23, 1789 
CLAGHORN, TIM., son of Maj. Geo. and Deborah, infant, died Feb. 1, 1771 
CLAGHORN, THANKFUL, wife of William, age 57, died Aug. 19, 17 95 
COGGESHALL, JAMES, age 30, died Dec. 10, 1789 
COGGESHALL, JOSEPH, son of John, age 3, died Sept. IS, 17 84 
COGGESHALL, SARAH, wife of Josiah, age 72, died April 1, 1799 
COLLINS, CAPT. EDWARD, age 35, died Feb. 8, 1845 
CORNELL, MRS. SARAH, age 84, died Oct. 31, 1820 
CORNISH, SAMUEL, age 43, died Feb. 2, 1775 
CORNISH, MERIBAH, his wife, age 72, died Jan. 4, 1771 
CRANDON, RUTH, wife of Capt. Thomas, age 65, died Jan. 9, 1795 
CRANDON, THOMAS, son of Capt. Thomas, infant, died Jan. 20, 1753 
CRANDON, JANE, daughter of Capt. Thomas, age 18, died Dec. 2 4, 17 70 
CRANDON, RUTH, daughter of Capt. Thomas, age 32, died May 20, 1792 
CRANDON, JOHN, age 7 6, died April 1, 17 73 
CRANDON, JEAN, his wife, age 73, died Nov. 18. 1767 



243 



CUSHMAN, ELISHA, age 77, 
CUSHMAN, LYDIA, wife of Soule, age 17, 

DAGGET, ALMIRA W., 

DAMON, CATHARINE, wife of Lieut. Joseph D., age 4 8, 
DANFORTH, NANCY, wife of Jonathan, age 27, 
DAVENPORT, ALICE H., wife of Jeremiah, age 4 8, 
DELANO, MARY, wife of Capt. Abishai, age 92, 
DELANO, MARY, wife of Calvin D., age 32, 
DELANO, ESTHER, dau. of of Capt. Jethro, age 18, 
DELANO, JABEZ, age 53, 
DELANO, MARY, his wife, age 33, 
DELANO, LIEUT. JONATHAN, age 73, 
DELANO, JABEZ, son of Abishai and Hannah, infant, 
DEMORANVILLE, SIMEON, Soldier of the Revoln., age 
DEMORANVILLE, JANE, his wife, age 84, 
DILLINGHAM, EDWARD, age 81, 
DILLINGHAM, HANNAH, his wife, age 80, 
DILLINGHAM, ANN, wife of Capt. Benjamin, age 68, 
DILLINGHAM, GAMALIEL, his sou; died in Liverpool r 

Grave between. 
DILLINGHAM, RUTH, his daughter, age 3 4, 
DREW, JOHANNA, age 84, 
DREW^ SALLY, age 75, 
DUNHAM, JESSE, son of Jesse and Diner, age 1, 

EGERY, DEBORAH, wife of Daniel, age 3 0, 

ELDREG, MRS. ELIZABETH, age 90, 

ELLIS, LEANDER P. W., son of Joseph, age 8, 

FAUNCB, NATHANIEL, age 25, 
FAUNCE, JOHN, age 25, 
FAUNCE, MRS. ABIGAIL, age 26, 
FAUNCE, SETH, age 24, 



died May 8 
died Nov. 23 

died Feb. 20 

died May 18 

died April 1 

died July 21 

died Nov. 5 

died Sept. 8 

died April 20 

died Dec. 23 

died April 29 

died Dec. 28 

died June 15 

88, died Dec. 11 

died April 3 

died Oct. 22 

died Feb. 21 

died May 13 

iver, age 25, 

died June — 

died Dec. 7 

died Dec. 22 

died Oct. 23 

died Aug. 29 

died May 17 
died Nov. 13 
died June 28 

died Jan. 9 

died Nov. 2 8 

died Dec. 20 

died Oct. 2 9 



FOSTER, MARGARET, wife of Lieut. Chillingworth, age 5 8, died Jan. 8 
FOSTER, EDWARD, son of Lieut. Chillingworth, age 15, died Oct. 23 



GERRISH, BENJAMIN, son of John, age 21, 
GERRISH, JOHN, son of John; lost at sea, age 19, 
GIFFORD, THEODORE, son of Shubael H., infant, 
•GIFFORD, LEONARD N., son of Shubael H., infant, 
GIFFORD, ELISHA E., son of Shubael H., age 1, 
GIFFORD, LUCY A., daughter of Shubael H., age 2, 



died April 3 

died 

died Feb. 7 

died Sept. 11 

died June 27 

died July 22 



GORDON, CAPT. WILLIAM, an ofhcer in the Revolutionary Army, age 80 

died June 26 
GORDON, NANCY, his wife, age 29, ' died Feb. 2 

GORDON, NABBY, his second wife, age 70, died Nov. 16 

GUNN, SARAH J., daughter of John, infant, died March 30 



1814 
1770 

1869 

1794 
1808 
1830 
1836 
1773 
1761 
1734 
1716 
1720 
1759 
1847 
1844 
1852 
1850 
1809 

1800 

1808 
1846 
1813 
1772 

1770 
1784 
1836 

1795 
1797 
1792 
1773 
1793 
1792 

1791 
1786 
1820 
1821 
1831 
1835 

1835 
1790 
1831 



HACKETT, MARIBAH, age 1-3-7, died June 7, 1855 

HAMMOND, BETSEY, wife of Lemuel, age 34, died Dec. 8, 1825 

HAMMOND, BETSEY S., daughter of Capt. Samuel Hammond, infant, 

died Oct. 27, 1825 



244 

HAMMOND, LYDIA, wife of Roger, and daughter of Nathaniel Jenne, age 3 7, 

died Nov. 27, 1796 
HART, SOPHIA, daughter of Simpson, age 1, died Sept. 13, 179 5 

HASKELL, ZEBULON, age 58, died 1862 

HASKELL, SARAH, his wife, age 28, died 1833 

HASKELL, JOHN C, age 71, died Dec. — , 1847 

HASKIN, ELIZABETH, wife of William, age 41, died April 15, 1791 

HATCH, ELIZABETH, daughter of Seth, age 3, died July 10, 1802 

HATHAWAY, ISAAC, son of Jonathan, age 2 8, died Feb. — , 1762 

HATHAWAY, SILVANUS, age 47, died July 11, 1768 

HATHAWAY, PHILIP, age 27, died March 2, 1769 

HATHAWAY, CAPT. ELEAZER, age 65, died Aug. 28, 1803 

HATHAW^AY, ALICE, his wife, age 3 4, died May 7, 177 8 

HATHAWAY, GAMALIEL, his 1st son, age 5, died April 8, 1770 

HATHAWAY, GAMALIEL, his 2nd son, age 2, died May 17, 1776 

HATHAWAY, GAMALIEL, his 3rd son, infant, died Sept. 3, 1798 

HATHAWAY, ANNA, 2nd wife of Eleazer, age 8 8, died April 3 0, 183 9 

HATHAWAY, MRS. HANNAH, age 87, died May 1, 1796 

HATHAWAY, JONATHAN, age 56, died Sept. 17, 1727 

HATHAWAY, SUSANNA, his wife, age 70, died Feb. 5, 1760 

HATHAWAY, ABIGAIL, and wife of Seth Spooner, age 78, died Oct. 19, 1782 
HATHAWAY, ABIGAIL, dau. of Jonathan and Deborah, age 17, 

died Jan. 25', 17 89 
HATHAWAY, LIEUT. SETH, age 72, died May 11, 1783 

HATHAWAY, HANNAH, his wife, and daughter of Col. Samuel Willis, age 45, 

died Jan. 18, 1760 
"Hark from the tombs," etc. 
HATHAWAY, GAMALIEL, age 89, died May 28, 1796 

HATHAWAY, HANNAH, his wife, age 29, died June 19, 1745 

HATHAWAY, JACOB, age 63, died Oct. 5, 1792 

HATHAWAY, HANNAH, his wife, age 94, died Oct. 5, 1820 

HATHAW^AY, THANKFUL, their daughter, age 4 6, died Dec. 5, 1812 

HATHAWAY, ROYAL, age 86, died Nov. 12, 1854 

HATHAWAY, CLARA J., daughter of Job, age 2-8, died Sept. 16, 1851 

HATHAWAY, MARY, wife of James, age 69, died March 8, 1852 

HATHAWAY, ANN, wife of Royal, age 86 years 7 months, died May 16, 1851 
HATHAWAY, CAPT. WILLIAM, age 73, died May 24, 1839 

HATHAWAY, ABIGAIL, his wife, age 83, died March 14, 1850 

HATHAWAY, JONATHAN, age 62, died May 11, 175 9 

HATHAWAY, ABIGAIL, his wife, age 75, died Dec. 30, 1776 

HATHAWAY, JONATHAN, age 44, died Feb. 3, 1793 

HATHAWAY, DEBORAH, his wife, age 77, died- Dec. 27, 1808 

HATHAWAY, ELNATHAN, age 89, died Feb. 25, 1809 

HATHAWAY, ESTHER, his wife, age 60, died Oct. 2, 1777 

HATHAWAY, MARGARET, daughter of Eleazer and Anna, age 63, 

died March 1, 1854 
HATHAWAY, GEORGE, son of Elisha and Ann, born in Boston, age 5, 

died Sept. 9, 1813 
HATHAWAY, MARY, daughter of James and Mary, age 16, died Oct. 2 6, 1808 
HATHAWAY, MICAH, age 73, died Jan. 6, 1816 

HATHAWAY, MARY, his wife, age 45, died Jan. 8, 1793 

HATHAWAY, SUSANNA, his daughter, age 20, died Oct. 18, 1789 

HATHAWAY, JONATHAN, age 23, died Feb. 19, 1794 

HATHAWAY, MARY, age 70, died Aug. 16, 1843 



245 



HATHAWAY, SARAH, age 49, 

HATHAWAY, THANKFUL, wife of Lieut. Isaac, age 29, 

HATHAWAY, JOSEPH, age 52, 

HATHAWAY, ANNA, his wife, age 84, 

HATHAWAY, REUBEN, age 73, 

HATHAWAY, ABIGAIL, his wife, age 7 8, 

HATHAWAY, JONATHAN, age 68, 

HATHAWAY, BRIDGET, wife of Jonathan, age 80, 



died May 20, 1824 
died March 1, 1799 
died July 21, 1817 
died March 4, 1853 
died March 5, 1831 
died Dec. 17, 1851 
died May 23, 1783 
died June 23, 1802 



HATHAWAY, SUSANNA, wife of Jabez, and daughter of Deacon John 



Chaffee, age 45, 
HAWSES, JOHN, age 5 7, 

HAWES, MERCY, wife of Captain John, age 37, 
HAWES, CAPT. SHUBAEL, age 27, 
HAWES, HARRIET, his daugliter, age 2, 
HAWES, ELIZABETH, daughter of Capt. John, infant, 
HAWES, MARY, age 90, 
HAWES, CAPT. BENJAMIN, age 43, 
HAWES, FREELOVE, his wife, age 3 5, 
HAWES, BENJAMIN, their son; lost at sea, age 16, 
HAWES, JOHN A., age 32, 
HAWES, CHARLES H., his son, infant, 
HAWES, CHARLES E., his son, infant, 
HILL, SYLVIA, wife of Benjamin, age 84, 
HINCKLEY, EDWARD N., son of Edward T., age 1, 
HINCKLEY, MARY N., wife of Edward T., age 29, 
HORR, DR. ELIJAH, age 69, 
HORR, ABIGAIL, his wife, age 55, 
HOWLAND, PHEBE, wife of John, age 27, 
HOWLAND, GEORGE H., son of Capt. John, age 3, 
HUDSON, infant daughter of Edward and Patience, 
HUNT, REV. SAMUEL, first ordained Minister of the Church of Christ, in 

Dartmouth, age 48, died Jan. 21, 1729 

HUNT, JOANNA, wife of the Hon. Ephraim, age 87, died March 29, 1746 

HUNT, DOROTHY, wife of the Hon. Ephraim, age 30, died Jan. 17, 17 43-4 

HUNT, DANIEL, son of Daniel; drowned in Harbor, age 17, died Aug. 18, 1761 



died Sept. 10, 1805 

died Dec. 29, 1824 

died March 11, 1803 

died Oct. 26, 1802 

died Sept. 9, 1802 

died April 2, 1807 

died March 7, 185 9 

died March 18, 1805 

died Nov. 26, 1815 

died 1816 

died Nov. 16, 1827 

died April 16, 182 7 

died Aug. 28, 1828 

died Sept. 7, 1844 

died Sept. 19, 1851 

died Feb. 19, 1852 

died May 23, 1854 

died March 22, 1841 

died Nov. 17, 1800 

died Sept. 29, 1810 

died 1769 



HUTTLESTONE, PELEG, age 60, 
HUTTLESTONB, Tabitha, wife of Peleg, age 4 7, 



died May 22, 1801 
died Aug. 24, 1790 



HUTTLESTONE, JOHN T., son of Thos. and Phebe, age 4-5, died April 19, 182 7 



HUTTLESTONE, PHEBE, wife of Thomas, age 45, 
HUTTLESTONE, THOMAS, JR.; died at sea, age 29, 
H. B. W. board. 



died Nov. 27, 1827 
died Nov. 8, 182 8 



INGRAHAM, ALMY, wife of Timothy, Jr., age 18, 
INGRAHAM, MARY, their daughter, infant. 



died April 15, 1773 
died Oct. 18, 1771 



JENNE, WESTON, age 48, 

JENNE, SARAH, his wife, age 31, 

JENNE, FANNY, his wife, age 55, 

JENNE, SARAH, daughter of Weston and Sarah, age 14, 

JENNE, JOB, 

JENNE, WILLIAM, son of Reuben, infant, 

JENNE, EBENEZER, son of Reuben, infant, 

JENNE, CAPT. BENJAMIN, age 3 8, 

JENNE, DESIRE, wife of Lettice, age 95, 



died Jan. 5, 1816 

died Feb. 21, 1804 

died May 18, 1836 

died Oct. 17, 1817 

died Jan. 15, 1804 

died Dec. 8, 1794 

died June 5, 1802 

died Dec. 23, 1781 

died Jan. 2, 1773 



246 



JENNE, CALEB, age 63, 

JENNE, MARGARET, daughter of John and Abigail, age 

JENNE, LIEUT. CORNELIUS, age 77, 

JENNE, ELIZABETH, his wife, age 46, 

JENNE, ELEANOR, his wife, age 74, 

JENNE, REUBEN, son of Samuel and Patience, age 18, 

JENNE, JEPTHA, son of Samuel and Patience, age 17, 

JENNE, two sons of Samuel and Patience. 



died Aug. 25, 1761 

63, died Oct. 28, 1789 

died Oct. 12, 1774 

died March 18, 1743 

died Feb. 14, 1786 

died March 2, 1777 

died Aug. 4, 1766 



"All that pass by may look and see; 
We had two sons was lost at sea." 
They went away October 12th, 1780. Abishai was in his 2 6th year; Ed- 
ward was in his 18th. 



JENNE, MRS. SARAH, age 43, 

JENNE, BASHSUA, wife of Benjamin, age 3 3, 

JENNE, MRS. SYLVIA, age 19, 

JENNE, REBEKAH, daughter of Nath'l and Mercy, age 5 4, 

JENNE, AGNES, daughter of Nath'l and Mercy, age 16, 

JENNE, WESTON, son of Lieut. Cornelius, age 2 0, 

JENNE, HENRY, son of Henry and Phebe, age 2, 

JENNE, two infant children of Henry and Phebe, 

JENNE, NATHANIEL, age 82, 

JENNE, MERCY, his wife, age 70, 

JENNE, SAMUEL, age 7 0, 

JENNE, PATIENCE, his wife, age 7 8, 

JENNE, SAMUEL, son of Jonathan, age 8, 

JENNEY, JAHAZIEL, age 73, 

JENNEY, MARIA W., age 66, 

JENNEY, DESIRE, wife of Jethro, age 90, 

JENNEY, LETTICE, age 19, 

JENNEY, ELLEN, dau. of Jahaziel, age 1-6, 

JENNEY, JETHRO, age 7 8, 

JENNEY, SEATH, age 76, 

JENNEY, LYDIA, wife of Enoch, daughter of Capt. Micah 

JENNEY, ELIZABETH, wife of Enoch, age 33, 
JENNEY, ELISHA, her son, infant, 
JENNEY, WILLIAM H., son of Lydia, age 1, 
JENNEY, infant dau. of Enoch and Lydia, 



died Oct. 20, 1767 

died April 30, 17 7 7 

died Oct. 12, 1767 

died Aug. 9, 1805 

died March 5, 1763 

died Aug. 12, 1767 

died Oct. 20, 1723 

died 1774 

died Jan. 13, 1802 

died Feb. 6, 1802 

died Feb. 21, 1784 

died Feb. 16, 1802 

died Nov. 4, 1792 

died Nov. 13, 1843 

died Aug. 29, 1837 

died Feb. 19, 1820 

died Nov. 21, 1776 

died Sept. 10, 1808 

died June 24, 1802 
died May 26, 1807 

Hathaway, age 29, 
died June 15, 1816 
died July 22, 1822 
died July 30, 1822 
died Feb. 22, 1808 
died March 21, 1806 



KEMPTON, EPHRAIM, age 70, 

KEMPTON, EPHRAIM, CAPT., his son, died in Norfolk, 

KEMPTON, RUTH D., dau. of William, infant, 
KEMPTON, SOPHIA, dau. of Manasah, infant, 
KEMPTON, EPHRAIM, age 5 5, 
KEMPTON, ELIZABETH, his wife, age 95, 
KEMPTON, PATIENCE, wife of Ephraim, age 105 years 

"In peaceful slumbers of the dead. 

The aged Saint reclines her head; 
The paths of virtue long she trod. 

Revered by man, beloved of God." 



died Dec. 


19, 


1803 


/a., age 29, 






died Oct. 


30, 


1798 


died Aug. 


22, 


1809 


died Oct. 


J 


1793 


died Jan. 


25, 


1802 


died Nov. 


29, 


1848 


months an 


d 6 


days. 


died May 


24, 


1779 



247 



KEMPTO'N, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 

KEMPTON, 



THOMAS, age 65, 

RUTH, his wife, age 25, 

LIEUT. JAMES, age 68, 

DANIEL, his son, age 3 4, 

PHEBE, wife of James, age 68, 

HANNAH, their dau., age 27, 

JAMES, their son, age 19, 

SAMUEL, 

BENJAMIN, age 34, 

MANASSEH, age 66, 

LOIS, his wife, age 77, 

CAPT. JIREH; lost at sea, 

JONATHAN, son of Capt. Manasseh, age 2 3, 

LOIS, dau. of Capt. Manasseh, age 14, 

DESIRE, wife of Paul, age 37, 

JOSEPH, age 79, 

STEPHEN, age 61, 

VERSYLLA, age 47, 



LANGWORTHY, CAPT. JOHN, age 49, 
LANGWORTHY, PATIENCE, his wife, age 73, 
LEAVITT, CAPT. HOWLAND, age 3 6, 
LEAVITt', EDWARD C, son of Samuel, infant, 
LINCOLN, JOHN L., son of Col. Benjamin, infant, 
LINCOLN, JOHN L., 1st son of Col. Benjamin, infant, 
LORING, JOSHUA, age 45, 

LORING, NATHANIEL, son of Joshua, infant, 
LORING, SARAH, dau. of Joshua, infant, 
LORING, ABIGAIL, dau. of Joshua, age 7, 
LOWDEN, MARY, wife of John, age 3 9, 
LOWDEN, ORANE, 2nd wife of John, age 2 8, 



died Dec. 29, 1768 
died Dec. 6, 1771 
died Jan. 11, 1816 

died Nov. 21, 1814 

died Dec. 31, 1821 
died April 13, 1802 

died May 24, 18-01 

died Aug. 13, 177 6 
died Dec. 14, 1804 
died Oct. 11, 1813 

died Sept. 20, 17 97 

died Dec. 16, 1794 

died April 10, 1812 

died May 27, 1815 

died Jan. 27, 1807 

died July 23, 1815 

died Dec. 17, 1800 
died March 16, 1833 
died Sept. 4, 1845 
died Oct. 28, 1838 
died Feb. 18, 1802 
died Jan. 18, 1801 
died Jan. 24, 1786 
died Dec. 20, 1778 
died July 5, 17 83 
died June 24, 1780 
died Oct. 3, 1773 
died March 25, 1797 



MACOMBER, JOHN R., age 71 years 9 mouths 2 days, 

MANDELL, MOSES, age 53, 

MANDELL, CAPT. THOMAS, age 48, 

MANDELL, SARAH, his wife, age 66, 

MARTIN, ANNA, dau. of Stephen, age 1, 

MAXFIELD, WEALTHY, wife of Timothy, age 92, 

MAYHBW, HANNAH, wife of Capt. Jeremiah, age 60, 

MAYHEW, JEREMIAH, JR., age 22, 

MAYHEW, ABIGAIL, wife of Capt. Jeremiah, age 45, 

MELVILLE, DAVID, 

MELVILLE, LYDIA, his wife, age 3 4, 

MITCHEL, WILLIAM, age 68, 

MITCHEL, PARNEL, his wife, age 60, 

MITCHEL, SILAS, son of David, age 9, 

MITCHEL, CAPT. NATHAN, age 3 5, 

M'ALLISTER, BETSEY, wife of Daniel, and dau. of James 



NASH, SIMEON, age 84, 

NASH, HULDAH, his wife, age 26, 

NASH, JOANNA, his wife, age 66, 

NASH, ABIGAIL, dau. of Joanna, age 51, 



died July 17, 1879 
died May 18, 1746 
died June 1, 1808 
died June 3, 1823 
died Aug. 10, 1777 
died March 18, 1848 
died Oct. 25, 1812 
died Jan. 4, 1811 
died Nov. 5, 1791 
died 1753 
died May 1, 1752 
died Feb. 5, 1793 
died May 21, 1784 
died Aug. 1, 17 86 
died May 17, 1801 
Hathaway, age 3 6, 
died Oct. 3, 1844 

died June 3, 182 4 

died May 11, 1773 

died Sept. 25, 1815 

died Sept. 29, 1830 



248 



NOMEN, LYDIEA, dau. of Simeon and Desier, age 13, 

NORTON, FREELOVE, wife of Elijah, age 32, 

NYE, BARNABAS, age 79, 

NYE, DEBORAH, his wife, age 82, 

NYE, LUCY, age 68, 

NYE, REBECCA, wife of Alfred, age 2 9, 

NYE, MARY, age 2 0, 

NYE, CAPT. JONATHAN, age 55, 

NYE, HANNAH, his wife, age 82, 

NYE, SUSAN, his daughter, age 8, 

NYE, DEBORAH, his daughter, age 1, 

NYE, CAPT. O'BED, age 79, 

NYE, MARY, his wife, age 5 8, 

NYE, CAPT. OBED; their son died in France, age 3 0, 

NYE, FREELOVE, 2nd wife of Obed, age 67, 

PADDACK, JUDAH, JR., age 3 9, 

PARKER, infant son of Zacheus, infant, 

PARKER, ZACCHEUS, age 3 9, 

PARKER, CAPT. AVERY, age 5 2, 

PARKER, CAPT. ELISHA, age 3 9, 

PEASE, CAPT. SHUBAEL, age 51, 

PEASE, SHUBAL, his son, age 21, 

PECKHAM, ABIGAIL, wife of Thomas, age 32, 

PEIRCE, CHARITY, dau. of Ebenezer, age 5, 

PERRY, DR. SAMUEL, age 57, 

PERRY, SILVIA, his wife, age 45, 

PERRY, HARRIET, their dau., infant, 

PERRY, SUSAN G., their dau., age 61, 

PERRY, DR. SAMUEL, age 73, 

PERRY, SUSANNA, his wife, age 72, 

PERRY, JIREH, their son, age 23, 

PERRY, ABIGAIL, wife of Dr. Ebenezer, age 33, 

PERRY, BETSEY, her daughter, infant, 

PHILIP, REBEKAH, wife of Capt. Philip, age 41, 

PHILIP, ESTHER, wife of Capt. Philip; died at 9 a. m. 

PHILIPS, CAPT. JOHN, age 32, 

PHILIPS, ABIGAIL, his daughter, age 1, 

PICKEN, JOHN, Officer in the Revolutionary Army, age 

PICKEN, MARY S., his wife, age 63, 

PICKEN, THADDEUS, their son; Master of the ship ' 

sea; all on board perished, age 3 6, 
PICKEN, PEACE B., his wife, age 3 7, 
PICKEN, THADDEUS, their son; died at sea, age 31, 
PICKEN, JOHN, last of his family, age 84, 
PICKHAM, JOANNA, wife of Jonathan, age 81, 
PICKHAM, JONATHAN, son of John, infant, 
PIERCE, BENJAMIN, age 4 4, 
PIERCE, REV. RICHARD, A. M., age 49, 
POPE, ELIZABETH, wife of Samuel, age 47-7, 
POPE, EBENEZER, age 5 8, 
POPE, HANNAH, wife of Ebenezer, age 2 6, 
POPE, REBECCA, wife of Ebenezer, age 3 8, 



died May 15 
died March 12 
died July 24 
died Dec. 25 
died Jan. 15 
died July 19 

died Feb. 2 

died Nov. 18 

died Sept. 2 4 

died Aug. 11 

died Nov. 20 

died Nov. 10 

died March 2 8 

died Aug. 25 

died Nov. 6 

died March 21 

died 

died March 3 

died Nov. 21 

died March 3 

died July 2 8 

died Sept. 8 

died July 2 

died Oct. 1 

died Oct. 2 6 

died April 15 

died April 8 

died Sept. 2 8 

died April 15 

died June 8 

died Aug. 3 

died June 12 

died April 8 

died Feb. 5 



of a Thursday, age 3 7, 



1770 
1776 
1813 
1820 
1846 
1812 
1837 
1815 
1844 
1804 
1803 
1815 
1797 
1796 
1815 

1748 
1770 
1842 
1794 
1842 
1790 
1789 
1767 
1813 
1820 
1815 
1806 
1842 
1805 
1806 
1781 
1795 
1792 
1810 



died Dec. 30, 1803 

died April 15, 17 84 

died March 16, 17 84 

82, died July 31, 1825 

died Nov. 28, 1809 

Thames," foundered at 

died 1810 

March 7, 1812 

died Sept. 19, 1830 

died May 5, 1863 

died July 7, 1808 

died Jan. 1789 

died July 29, 1756 

died May 23, 1749 

died Nov. 30, 1792 

died March 26, 1828 

died May 12, 1803 

died May 2, 1813 



249 



POPE, REBECCA, daughter of Ebenezer, age 13, 

POPE, REBECCA A. ELIHU, age 1, 

POPE, JESSIE M., son of Ebenezer, age 5, 

POPE, LEMUEL, son of Ebenezer, 

POPE, ELNATHAN, age 90, 

POPE, REBECCA, his wife, age 59, 

POPE, DEBORAH, daughter, 

POPE, THOMAS, age 75, 

POPE, THANKFUL, his wife, age 3 8, 

POPE, ALICE, his 2nd wife, age 87, 

POPE, JOHN, son of Capt. Worth, infant, 

POPE, MARY ANN, dan. of Capt. Worth, age 1, 

POPE, ELIZABETH, wife of Edward, age 3 2, 

POPE, THANKFUL, daughter of Thomas, age 16, 

POPE, COL. SETH, age 83, 

POPE, ABIGAIL, his wife, age 59, 

POPE, LEMUEL, age 64, 

POPE, MARY, his wife, age 81, 

POPE, MRS. EUNICE, their daughter, age 22, 

POPE, SARAH, their daughter, age 3, 

POPE, TIMOTHY, son of Lemuel, age 8, 

POPE, RICHARD, son of Lemuel and Elizabeth, infant, 

POPE, REBECCA, dau. of Lemuel and Elizabeth, infant, 

POPE, CAPT. LEMUEL, age 75, 

POPE, ELIZABETH, his wife, age 85, 

POPE, ISAAC, age 71, 

POPE, SARAH, his wife, age 69, 

POPE, MRS. DEBORAH, age 68, 

POPE, ELNATHAN, age 45, 

POPE, MARGARET, his wife, age 86, 

POPE, THOMAS, their son, age 13, 

POPE, SETH, age 79, 

POPE, REBECCA, his 2nd wife, age 79, 

POPE, DEBORAH, his wife, age 3 6, 

POPE, MARGARET, daughter of Isaac, age 2 7, 

POPE, PHEBE, daughter of Elnathau, age 25, 

PRATT, AMOS, age 4 6, 

PRATT, PANNY, his daughter, age 20, 

PRICE, DAVID, son of Oliver, age 7, 

PRICE, SARAH, daughter of Oliver, age 1, 

PRICE, SIMEON, age 31, 

PRICE, PHEBE, his daughter, age 15, 

PROCTOR, SAMUEL, merchant, age 70, 

PROCTOR, ELIZABETH, his wife, age 4 9, 

PURINTON, SETH, son of Hezekiah, age 22, 

PURRINGTON, NOBLE, age 21, 



died Aug. 30, 1819 
died Feb. 12. 1846 
died March 7, 1831 
died March 8, 1803 
died May 15, 1794 
died Nov. 30, 1764 

died March 25, 1784 

died April 13, 175 6 

died Oct. 21, 1805 

died June 23, 1802 

died Oct. 28, 1808 

died Nov. 1, 1781 

died Nov. 22, 1769 

died June 9, 1802 

died May 8, 1778 

died Dec. 13, 1796 

died Dec. 12, 1808 

died Oct. 10, 1792 

died Oct. 27, 1777 

died April 29, 1771 

died May 27, .1742 

died Dec. 3, 1726 

died May 23, 1771 

died July 12, 1782 

died Dec. 9, 1793 

died March 2, 1795 

died Dec. 20, 1793 

died Feb. 8, 1735-6 

died May 22, 1776 

died Nov. 19, 1732 

died March 7, 172 7 

died Jan. 25, 1741 

died Feb. 19, 1710-11 

died June 7, 1792 

died Sept. 23, 1822 

died June 17, 1815 

died Oct. 5, 1811 

died April 27, 1784 

died Sept. 7, 17 83 

died April 19, 1776 

died April 20, 1784 

died Feb. 16, 1801 

died Aug. 17, 1780 

died Aug. 3, 1771 

died Aug. 23, 1808 



REA, ANN, wife of Uriel, of Boston, age 7 6, 
READ, MARY, daughter of Seth, age 16, 
READ, TISDEL, son of Seth, age 21, 
REID, SARAH, wife of Abraham, age 2 8, 
REID, S. to Almira; (no dates) 
RICHARDSON, LYDIA, wife of William, age 3 9, 
RITCHIE, CAPT. WILLIAM, age 46, 



died Oct. 11, 1785 

died Nov. 4, 1769 

died July 11, 1777 

died Sept. 17, 17 70 

died Jan. 13, 1832 
died April 28, 1844 



250 

ROSS, CAPT. WILLIAM, age 51, died Oct. 24, 1809 

ROSS, RUTH, his wife, age 72, died July 24, 1838 

ROSS, infant son of William, died July 22, 17 91 

ROSS, DONALD, son of William, infant, died April 19, 1801 

ROSS, JAMES, son of William, infant, died May 29, 1797 

SAMSON, JUDAH, age 5 7, died Nov. 2 7, 1797 

SAMSON, MARY, his wife, age 49, died March 3, 1788 

SAMSON, NATHANIEL, their son, age 11, died Oct. 29, 1774 

SAMSON, MRS. SALLY, their daughter, age 23, died March 12, 1792 

SELLER,, REBEKAH, wife of James, age 2 8, died Aug. 31, 1770 
SEVERANCE, BETSEY, wife of Capt. Thomas, age 75, died March 31, 1877 

SEVERANCE, CAPT. THOMAS, age 61, died June 3, 1859 
SEVERANCE, LUCY N., dau. of Capt. Thomas, age 6 months, died Sept. 3, 1824 
SEVERANCE, LUCY. N., dau. of Thomas, infant, 

SHERMAN, ISAAC, son of Isaac, age 7, died Sept. 23, 1775 

SHERMAN, ISAAC, 2nd son of Isaac, age 7, , died Aug. 18, 1777 

SHERMAN, ABISHAI, age 71, died Oct. 15, 1812 

SHERMAN, MERCY, his wife, age 64, died Sept. 16, 1812 

SHERMAN, EXPERIENCE, their daughter, age 22, died Nov. 15, 1809 

SHERMAN, LYDIA, wife of Capt. John, age 36, died July 9, 1784 

SHERMAN, ANNA, 2nd wife of Capt John, age 3 7, died May 2 6, 1791 

SHERMAN, LOIS, wife of Resolved, age 65, died Sept. 7, 1851 

SHORE Y, ELEANOR, daughter of Levi, infant, died Oct. 1, 1844 

SHORKLEY, SAMUEL, age 3 6, died Oct. 11, 1798 

SHORKLEY, SUSANNA, his wife, age 53, died June 25, 1815 

SHORKLEY, ASA C, age 16, died Sept. 21, 1808 

SHORKLEY, ELISHA C.; died at sea, age 26, died June 22, 1821 
SPOONER, ELIZABETH, dau. of Simpson and Sarah, age 2, died Sept. 20, 1728 

SPOONER, NATHANIEL, age 24, ,died Nov. 25, 1732 

SPOONER, EUNICE, dau. of Benjamin, age 20, died July 12, 1796 

SPOONER, ELIZABETH, wife of Elnathan, age 86, died Aug. 24, 1810 

SPOONER, ELIZABETH, dau. of Seth, age 16, died Oct. 31, 1807 

SPOONER, THOMAS, age 26, died May 31, 1799 

SPOONER, PHILIP, age 64, died Sept. 8, 1820 

SPOONER, LYDIA, his wife, age 44, died Nov. 24, 1805 

SPOONER, SAGE, his 2nd wife, age 55, died May 30, 1815 

SPOONER, PHILIP, son of Philip and Lydia, age 3, died July 20, 1802 

SPOONER, JOHN, age 28, died Feb. 21, 1773 

SPOONER, LYDIA, his wife, age 27, died June 19, 1775 

SPOONER, ISABEL, dau. of John and Isabel, infant, died July 15, 1797 

SPOONER, EDWARD T., son of Samuel, age 6, died Sept. 18, 183 9 

SPOONER, ELIZABETH, wife of Dr. Rounsevel, age 21, died Dec. 6, 1800 

SPOONER, PHEBE H., dau. of Thomas, age 2, died May 5, 1845 

SPOONER, MICAH, age 60, * died Sept. 22, 184 8 

SPOONAR, ALBERT H., son of Charles, age 1, died Nov. 5, 1814 

STETSON, three children of Joseph and Abiah, died about, 1809 

STETSON, two sons of Charles and Jane; drowned, 1806 

STETSON, JANE, wife of Charles, age 74-10, died April 25, 1841 

STETSON, JANE, S., dau. of Peleg H., age 1, died March 2 9, 183 5 

STETSON, HANNAH, wife of Peleg H., age 33, died July 1, 183 4 

STETSON, CHARLES, age 61, died March 13, 1816 

STETSON, SUSANNA, dau. of Charles, died May — , 1803 

STEVENS, DEBORAH H., wife Suare, age 32, died Oct. IS, 1844 



251 



STODDARD, NATHANIEL, 1st son of Capt. Ichabod, age 11, died Oct. 3, 
STODDARD, NATHANIEL, 2nd son of Capt. Ichabod, age 7, died Oct. 7, 
STODDARD, MRS. ALICE, dan. of Capt. Ichabod, age 20, died Oct. 9, 
STODDARD, VIRTUE, wife of Samuel, age 40, died Feb. 20, 

STODDARD, two children of Capt. Samuel and Virtue, his wife, 

Noah died July 13th, 17 88: 2 years, wanting 2 days. 

The other was still-born, July 4th, 17 89. 

SULLINGS, DAVID, son of John, age 2, 

SUMMERTON, RELIANCE, wife of Daniel, age 65, 

SUMMERTON, ALMIRA, daughter of Daniel, infant, 

SUMMERTON, DANIEL, son of Daniel, infant, 

SWIFT, DEACON JIREH, age 74, 

SWIFT, DEBORAH, his widow, age 82, 

SWIFT, infant son of Deacon Jireh and Elizabeth, 

SWIFT, JONATHAN, age 33, 

SWIFT, ELIZABETH, wife of Capt. Job, age 3 9, 

SWIFT, PAUL, age 5 7, 

SWIFT, SARAH, his wife, age 33, 

SWIFT, JEMIMA, his wife, age 73, 

SWIFT, CAPT. JONATHAN, age 71, 

SWIFT, LOVE, his wife, age 34, 

SWIFT, SUSANNA, his wife, age 5 4, 

SWIFT, JONATHAN, his son; died at Valparaiso, age 25, 

SWIFT, LOVE, his daughter, age 1, 

SWIFT, CHARLES, his son, infant, 

SWIFT, MARYBOWEN, his daughter, infant, 

SWIFT, ELIZABETH, his daughter, infant, 

SWIFT, ELIZABETH, his daughter, age 4, 

SWIFT, NANCY B., his daughter, age 20, 

SWIFT, LUCINDA, daughter of Silas, infant, 

SWIFT, DEACON JIREH, age 7 7, 

SWIFT, ELIZABETH, his wife, age 5 4, 

SWIFT, HANNAH NYE, widow of James, age 71, 

SWIFT, JAMES, age 71, 



1773 
1774 
1772 
1803 



died Aug. 22, 

died Sept. 15, 

died Aug. 1, 

died May 12, 

died March 16, 

died Jan. 7, 

died May 12, 

died Jan. 

died Feb. 

died Nov. 

died Dec. 

died Jan. 

died Sept. 

died June 

died June 

died Feb. 

died Feb. 

died Nov. 

died May 2 9, 

died Jan. 4, 

died Dec. 1, 

died Nov. 2, 

died Feb. 7, 

died July 26, 

died Aug. 20, 

died Oct. 16, 

died Aug. 6, 



31, 
15, 
16, 
17, 
20, 
19, 
19, 
26, 
15, 
13, 
20, 



1784 
1788 
1807 
1789 
1782 
1794 
1768 
1763 
1808 
1810 
1782 
1821 
1834 
1809 
1823 
1830 
1809 
1802 
1801 
1793 
1802 
1813 
1788 
1817 
1794 
1859 
1859 



TABER, DESIRE, wife of Nicholas, age 3 0, 

TABER, infant daughter of Nicholas, 

TABER, JEREMIAH, age 26, 

TABER, SALLY, his daughter, age 15 months, 

TABER, STEPHEN, age 85, 

TABER, STEPHEN, son of Stephen, infant. 

TABER, ELIZABETH B., dau. of Stephen, age 2, 

TABER, MARY S., dau. of Stephen, age 5, 

TABER, ROBERT, age 51, 

TABER, BETSEY, his wife, age 73, 

TABER, ROBERT, their son; died at sea, age 3 2, 

TABER, JEREMIAH, age 24, 

TABER, PAUL, son of Capt. Pardon, infant, 

TABER, PARDON, son of Capt. Pardon, infant, 

TABOUR, PHEBE, wife of William, age 51, 

TERRY, JOSEPH; was lost with sloop "Thetis," age 35, 

TERRY, HANNAH, his wife, age 66, 

TERRY, COL. THOMAS, age 4 8, 

TERRY, ELIZABETH P., his daughter, age 18, 



died Oct. 30, 1792 

died Nov. 2, 1792 
died May 25, 1796 
died Jan. 24, 1798 
died Sept. 10, 1862 
died Jan. 21, 1825 
died Sept. 22, 1830 

died Jan. 15, 1831 

died July 17, 1820 

died March 15, 1846 

died Sept. 2, 1829 

died Oct. 9, 1824 

died April 24, 17 75 

died Dec. 13, 1781 

died Jan. 21, 1838 
died Nov. 25, 1809 
died Sept. 23, 1842 
died Dec. 27, 1827 

died Oct. 19, 1821 



252 



SALLY, his wife, age 55, 

CAPT. CHARLES T., his son; died at sea, age 

LEMUEL T., his son, age 55, 

ISAAC, son of Col. Tliomas T., infant, 

ISAAC, 1st son of Col. Thomas T., infant, 

SALLY, daughter of Col. Thomas T., age 4, 

ELIZABETH, daughter of Thomas P., age 3, 

CHARLES, son of Thomas P., age 2, 

ZOETH, age 22, 

son of Samuel, age 16, 

SILAS, son of Prince, age 3, 

infant son of Prince, 

DEBORAH, daughter of Prince, age 1, 

HANNAH, age 7 7, 

KIZIA, wife of Lot, age 3 4, 

SETH, age 45, 

ISAAC, son of Jonathan and Elizabeth, age 31, 

DR. ELISHA, age 58, 

DESIRE, his wife, age 53, 

LEMUEL, age 72, 

ELIZABETH, his wife, age 80, 

CHARLES, age 32, 

ELISHA C, son of William, infant, 

WILLIAM C, son of William, infant, 

ABIGAIL, daughter of William, infant, 

WILLIAM, age 80, 

ABIGAIL, his wife, age 83, 
TOWNSEND, BETSEY, wife of Avery, age 2 0, 
TRIPP, JANE WAGONER, wife of Capt. Gilbert, age 79-8, 



TERRY 
TERRY 
TERRY 
TERRY 
TERRY 
TERRY 
TERRY 
TERRY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 
TOBEY 



died Dec. 20, 1835 

42, died Nov. 9, 1853 

died April 5, 1865 

died July 25, 1813 

died Oct. 6, 1808 

died Sept. 3, 182 2 

died July 15, 1831 

died May 12, 1835 

died June 1, 175 9 

died Dec. 4, 1784 

died Aug. 26, 1769 

died Aug. 31, 1769 

died Feb. 3, 1840 

died July 31, 1775 

died May 21, 1793 

died May 26, 1773 

died May 10, 1781 

died Jan. 5, 1778 

died Nov. 7, 1820 

died Dec. 20, 1835 

died Jan. 19, 1811 

died Aug. 6, 1784 

died Sept. 2 4, 17 83 

died Aug. 20, 1786 

died Jan. 5, 183 5 

died Jan. 29, 1846 

died Oct. 23, 1813 

died Feb. 2 0, 185 5 



VINCENT, ISAAC, son of Isaac and Hannah Vincent, infant, 

died Nov. 28, 1772 
VINCENT, HANNAH, wife of Isaac, age 72, died July 24, 1802 

"A. W.," board, 



WAGGONER, WILLIAM, son of Samuel, infant, 

WASHBURN, ABIGAIL, consort of Peter, age 5 7, 

W^ASHBURN, ABBIE H., dau. of Reuben, age 7 months, 

WASHBURN, JOHN S., age 5 8, 

WASHBURN, DESIRE, wife of John, age 64, 

WASHBURN, BAZABIEL, age 43, 

WASHBURN, LETTICE, "soldier of the Revolution," age 

WASHBURN, SARAH, "his wife, soldier of Jesus," age 8 

WASHBURN, GILBERT T., son of Bazaliel Jr., age 5, 

WASHBURN, LETTICE, son of William, infant, 

WHITCUMB, JANE, wife of James, age 2 5, 

WHITFIELD, PARNEL, age 85, 

WHITFIELD, MISS SYBIL, age 2 8, 

WILLIS, COL. SAMUEL, age 7 6, 

WILLIS, HEBITABLE, his wife, age 94, 

WILLIS, ABIGAIL, their daughter, infant, 

WILLIS, JABEZ, their son, infant, 

WILLIS, MAJOR EBENEZER, age 83, 



died May 2, 1802 

died Jan. 8, 1782 

died Dec. 11, 1851 

died March 12, 1842 

died Nov. 29, 1849 

died Oct. 2, 1843 

86, died April 3, 1844 

3, died, Aug. 11, 1845 

died Aug. 9, 1844 

died Jan. 18, 1845 

died Jan. 13, 1727-8 

died Sept. 1, 1840 

died June 19, 1812 

died Oct. 3, 1763 

died Jan. 18, 1782 

died April 18, 1722 

died June 13, 1723 

died Nov. 7, 1809 



253 



WILLIS, ELIZABETH, his wife, age 79, 

WILLIS, SAMUEL, son of the above, age 3 4, 

W^ILLIS, ESTHER, daughter of the above, age 2 0, 

WILLIS, ELIZABETH, daughter of the above, age 



died Aug. 9, 
died March 4, 

died May 8, 
died Sept. 28, 



WILLIS, PAMELA, daughter of Jireh & Abigail, grand-daughter of Col. 



died July 20, 

died Nov. 9, 

died Aug. 1, 

died Nov. 1, 

died 

died Sept. 5, 

died May 10, 

died Jan. 4, 

died Nov. 17, 

died June 17, 

died March 5, 

died Sept. 3 0, 

1761; resigned 1803, age 78, 



Samuel Willis, age 84, 
WILLIAMS, HON. LEMUEL, age 81, 
WILLIAMS, REBEKAH, his wife, age 32, 
WILLIAMS, BENJAMIN, their son, infant, 
WILKEY, NABY, daughter of Cornell, 
WING, SYLVIA, wife of Savery, age 33, 
WING, CONTENT, daughter of Savery, infant, 
WINSLOW, CAPT. HEZEKIAH, age 58, 
WINSLOW, JOHN, his son, age 17, 
W^INSLOW, RICHARD, age 28, 
WINSLOW\ DAVID, age 61, 
WINSLOW, SALLY, age 2 4, 
WEST, SAMUEL, D. D., ordained June 3d 

died Sept. 24, 
WEST, LOUISA, his wife, age 41, . died March 18, 

WEST, EXPERIENCE, wife of Samuel, D. D., age 41, died March 6, 

WEST, HANNAH, her daughter, age 66, died April 23, 

WEST, SAMUEL, M. D., son of Samuel & Experience, age 64, 

died June 15, 
WEST, POLLY, his wife, age 76, 

W^EST, SAMUEL, M. D., son of Samuel and Polly, age 73 
WEST, LUCY H., daughter of Samuel and Polly, age 55, 
WEST, RUTH, daughter of Samuel and Polly, age 50, 
WEST, JOHN S., son of Samuel and Polly, infant, 
WEST, JOHN S., 2nd son of Samuel and Polly, infant, 
WEST, JANE, daughter of Experience, age 18, 
WEST, RUTH, daughter of Experience, age 15, 
WEST, JOSEPH, son of Experience, infant, 
WEST, THOMAS, age 53, 
WEST, ABIGAIL, his daughter, age 13, 

"The living know that they must die; 
But all the dead neglected lie." 

WEST, MARGARET B., dau. of Ezekiel Braley, age 58, 

WEST, SETH, son of Thomas and Hannah, age 24, 

WEST, CAPT. ELISHA, age 45, 

WEST, ANNE, his wife, age 91, 

WEST, THOMAS, son of W^illiam, age 3, 

WESTON, ANNIE M., age 9-6-7, 

WORTH, CAPT. THOMAS, age 27, 

WRIGHINGTON, ARON, son of Henry, age 21, 



died Nov. 2 6, 

died Jan. 7, 

died Dec. 23, 

died April 19, 

died Aug. 9, 

died April — , 

died Jan. 16, 

died Aug. 21, 

died Dec. 

died Nov. 

died Oct. 



16, 
12, 
18. 



1807 
1795 
1774 

1784 

1853 
1828 
1786 
1786 
1789 
1804 
1803 
1771 
1754 
1816 
1805 
1814 

1807 
1797 
1789 
1847 

1838 
1861 
1879 
1877 
1855 
1817 
1824 
1788 
1783 
1779 
1770 
1770 



died Aug. 12, 1842 

died Aug. 20, 1770 

died Jan. 27, 1794 

died March 29, 1843 

died Nov. 20, 1782 

died July 11, 1869 

died Dec. 13, 1769 

died March 23, 1792 



Here are a few of the many interesting epitaphs that are chiseled on 
headstones standing in these grounds: 

A tender mother we have lost, 

From lis she 's called away ; 
The chilling tloods of death to cross, 

While we behind do stay. 



254 

Grieve not, kind partner, though I sleep, 

Far from thy lovely home ; 
Thee and thy babe in Jesus keep, 
Till your own change shall come. 



Reader, pray stop and shed a tear 
Upon the dust that moulders here. 

As I am now so you may be. 

Prepare for death and follow me. 



Rest in peace, dear mother. 

Life's trials they are o'er; 

Thou hast crossed the dark cold river, 

Thou hast reached the shining shore. 



Come, fellow mortal, cast an eye, 
Then go thy way, prepare to die ; 
Then read thy doom, for die thou must, 
One day like me be turned to dust. 



My life in infant days was spent, 
While to my parents I was lent; 
One smiling look to them I gave, 
And then descended to the grave. 



Time was I stood where thou dost now. 
And viewed the dead as thou dost me ; 

E'er long thou 'It lie as low as I, 
And others stand and look on thee. 



Afflictions sore long time I bore, 

Physician was in vain ; 
Till God was pleased to give me ease, 

And free me from my pain. 



ANCIENT LONG PLAIN The Long Plain cemetery situated on the 
CEMETERY west side of the road at the southerly edge 

of that village was no doubt used for burial 
purposes before the year 1700, but how long previous to that date cannot 
be determined, as only in rare cases in Dartmouth were any headstones 
erected at that time excepting uncut field stones, and the registry of deeds 



255 

has been searched in vain for reference to this plat of ground. For many 
years previous to 1892 this place presented a pitiful, neglected appearance. 
It was a hopeless task for a few of the descendants of those who laid 
there to materially improve its forlorn, forsaken condition. An appeal 
was made to the town at its annual meeting of IMareh 7, 1892, for assist- 
ance in such an effort by some of the residents of that locality. The town 
responded by appropriating $100 for the purpose and 'appointing Capt. 
E. R. Ashley, James C. Gammons and A. P. R. Gilmore to superintend 
the expenditure of this sum. The following year the town voted to 
accept the provisions of the jjublic statutes of the state and therei)y 
assumed the perpetual care of the place. The year after, William 
A. Ashley, Thomas E. Braley, Captain George J. Parker, A. P. R. Gil- 
more, Captain P]dward R. Ashley and Alden White organized as a com- 
mittee to more thoroughly redeem the place from briars, shrubbery and 
a tangle of wild growth. This they accomplished and since then it has 
been kept in a neat appearance aided by town appropriations. In doing 
this work they moved from the south end of the old i)art fifty or more 
bodies to the modern cemetery situated on the opposite side of the high- 
way. The following are the names and dates inscribed on the head- 
stones here of those who died previous to 1860 and a copy of four 
epitaphs : 



BENNETT, EDWARD, age 73, 

BENNETT, ELIZABETH, wife of Edward, age 84, 

BENNETT, JACOB, age 60, 

BENNETT, JEREMIAH, "who died with a languishment," 

BENNETT, SARAH, age 72, 

BENNETT, LOIS, age 68, 

BLACKMER, LUCY, age 37, 

BLACKMER, SALISBURY, age 2 6, 

BRYANT, WILLIAM, age 11, 

COOK, SILVINA, age 27, 

DAVIS, ELIZABETH, age 2, 

DAVIS, NICHOLAS, age 70, 

DAVIS, RUTH, wife of Nicholas, age 85, 

DAVIS, PHOEBE, wife of Thomas, age 46, 

GIFFORD. CAPT. THOMAS, age 69, 

GIFFORD, ABIGAIL, wife of Thomas, age 7 9, 

JENNE, JOHN, age 9, 

LYON, SARAH, age 83, 

MASON, CAPT. REUBEN, age 50, 

MASON, THANKFUL, wife of Reuben, age 46, 

MASON, REUBEN, age 17, 

MENDELL, ELLIS, age 86, 

MENDELL, HANNAH, age 41, 

MENDELL, JOHN, age 11, 



died Oct. 4, 1812 
died Dec. 24, 1826 
died May 27, 1832 
age 7 7, 

died March 20, 1806 

died Sept. 8, 183 6 

died June 9, 183 7 

died May 9, 1825 

died O'ct. 12, 1821 

died Oct. 30, 1827 

died April 29, 1807 

died Feb. 14, 1805 

died Nov. 3 0, 183 9 

died May 11, 185 6 

died April 28, 1845 

died April 28, 1830 

died July 2, 1844 

died Nov. 8, 1817 

died Oct. IS, 1827 

died Nov 2, 1806 

died Aug. 19, 1802 

died Aug. 8, 1835 

died June 12, 1849 

died Sept. 1, 1810 

died April 7, 1811 



256 



MENDELL, LYDIA, age 10 mos., 

MENDELL, MARY, age 89, 

MENDELL, NANCY, age 89, 

MORSE, GEORGE, age 1, 

MORSE, JOANNA, age 82, 

OMEY, LYDIA, age 39, 

PERRY, LEMUEL, age 90, 

PERRY, LYDIA, age 84, 

SAMPSON, .JOSEPH, age 81, 

SAMPSON, RUALMY, age 3, 

SEARS, ALMEDA, age 2, 

SEARS, EDION, age 2, 

SEARS, NATHANIEL, age 77, 

SEARS, ELIZABETH, wife of Nathaniel, age 87, 

SEARS, HANNAH, daughter of Nathaniel, age 78, 

SEARS, MARY, daughter of Nathaniel, age 32, 

SEARS, NATHANIEL, JR., son of Nathaniel, age 51, 

SEARS, LORING, age 20, 

SIMMONS, CAPT. EPHRAIM, age 96, 

SIMMONS, MARY, wife of Capt. Ephraim, age 68, 

SIMMONS. EPHRAIM, age 19, 

SIMMONS, HANNAH, age 43, 

SIMMONS, PEREZ, age 2 9, 

SIMMONS, WELTHY, wife of Capt. Amos, age 3 5, 

SPOONER, ALTHEA, age 64, 

SPOONER, CHARLES E., age 13, 

SPOONER, ELIZABETH, age 36, 

SPOONER, HANNAH, age 13, 

SPOONER, NANCY, age 2 6, 

SPOONER, SETH, ESQ., age 64, 

SPOONER, PATIENCE, wife of Seth, age 61, 

SPOONER, SETH, age 9 4, 

SPOONER, HONBle WALTER, ESQ., age 81, 

SPOONER, MARY, 2nd wife of Honb'le Walter Spooner, 

SPOONER, WALTER, age 3 6, 

SPOONER, DR. ROUNSEVILLE, age 6 6, 

SPOONER, SUSAN, wife of Dr. Rounseville, age 67, 

SPRAGUE, KETURAH, daughter of Rev. Thomas West, 

SPRAGUE, MARY, age 77, 

SPRAGUE, SAMUEL, age 94, 

TABER, AMOS, age 34, 

TAPER, WELTHY, wife of Amos, age 77, 

TABER, JOSHUA, age 66, 

TABER, MARY, wife of Joshua, age 47, 

TABER, PRINCE L., age 33, 

TABER, SILAS, age 13, 

TERRY, BENJAMIN, age 68, 

TERRY, MARY, wife of Benjamin, age 87, 

TOBY, JOHN, age 79, 

TOBY, MARY, wife of John, age 85, 

TRIPP, SAMUEL, 2ND, age 29, 

VINCENT, CAPT. ISAAC, age 61, 



died July 11, 


1809 


died Sept. 15, 


1815 


died April 2 8, 


1850 


died Nov. 29, 


1829 


died May 21, 


1839 


died Feb. '27, 


1819 


died April 2 7, 


1840 


died March 10, 


1827 


died June 2 7, 


1808 


died May 28, 


1791 


died March 17, 


1816 


died Sept. 2, 


1822 


died April 22, 


1816 


died Sept. 2 4, 


1828 


died Sept. 25, 


1846 


died July 28, 


1813 


died March 3 0, 


1816 


died Aug. 20, 


1826 


died Feb. 21, 


1836 


died Nov. 7, 


1817 


died April 2, 


1802 


died Aug. 10, 


1822 


died Feb. 13, 


1809 


died Nov. 25, 


1802 


died May 12, 


1789 


died June 15, 


1828 


died Sept. 12, 


1793 


died Sept. 2 6, 


1793 


died Sept. 21, 


1806 


died Dec. 18, 


1815 


died Dec. 10, 


1815 


died March 28, 


17 — 


died Oct. 26, 


1803 


Esq., died Jan. — , 


1726 


died July 26, 


1808 


died March 17, 


1844 


died April 25, 


1846 


age 74, 




died Oct. 29, 


1806 


died July 9, 


1835 


died Feb. 5, 


1825 


died Nov. 24, 


1816 


died May 6, 


1859 


died May 25, 


1829 


died June 27, 


. 1818 


died April 15, 


18.40 


died Jan. 6, 


1816 


died April 2 9, 


. 1817 


died July 12, 


1841 


died Sept. 24, 


1811 


died Nov. — , 


1820 


died Aug. 13, 


, 1814 


died April 6; 


, 1846 



257 

WHITE, WILLIAM age 78, died May 3, 1835 

On William White's headstone is the following: 

He was the son of William White, 

Son of John White, 

Son of John White, 

Son of Samnel White, 

Son of Resolved W^hite, 

Son of William W^hite, 

Who came over in the Mayflower and located at 
Plymouth, Dec. 22, 1620. 
WHITE, MARY, wife of William, age 65, died July 1, 1823 

WHITE, HANNAH, wife of William, age 52, died Feb. 7, 1816 

WHITE, SYBIL, wife of William, age 76, died May 12, 1849 

WHITE, RUBY, daughter of William, age 13, died Feb. 12, 1850 

WIXSLOW, MICAH, age 56, died April 24, 1816 

WOOD, LYDIA S., age 17, died Feb. 15, 1813 

Micah Wiiislow and Capt. John Tobey. 

He 's gone ! the voyage of human life is o 'er : 
And h:'ft a mortal for i^nmortal shore. 
Though rough the passage peacefuU is the port. 
The bliss is perfect the probation short 
There wearied virtue shall for refuge fly 
And ev'ry tear ho wip'd from ev'ry eye. 

Lucy Blackmer. 

So Jesus wept. Gods dying sou 

Past through the grave and blest the bed. 

No mortal woes 
Can reach the lovely Sleeper here 
And angels watch her soft repose. 

Hannah Mendall. 

In faith she dy'd in dust She lies; 
But faith foresees that dust shall rise 
When Jesus calls, while hope assumes 
And boasts her joye among the tombs, 

Samuel Sprague. 

In virtue's school religion's cheerful voice 
Serves as a guide to the most noble choice; 
And when God's glory our chief est end 
He makes grim death to visit as a friend 
Then welcome death, I cannot be afraid, 
' But walk rejoicing thro' thy peaceful shade. 

OTHER CEMETERIES Other cemeteries which were first used as 

burying places probably before the close of 
the seventeenth century are those on the premises of the two Friends' 
meeting houses in town, already described. It is said that members of 
the early families of Wests were buried on the farm of the late Captain 



258 

Rodolphus Swift, at the south of his dwelling house. The Peckhams 
were numerous in the northwest part of the town, where they had a 
family burying ground, which has been enlarged and is open to the 
public. It is known as Peckham cemetery, and is situated on the south 
side of Peckham road. 

PRAYING INDIANS A laudable characteristic of the Plymouth colon- 
ists was to spread the Christian religion. This 
lofty purpose was recited in one of the many reasons they formulated for 
leaving Holland, as here they found what they left their native land for — 
freedom from religious persecution. They declared that "Fifthly and 
last and which was not the least, a great hope and inward zeal they had 
of laj^ing good foundations, or at least to make some way thereunto for 
the propagation and advancement of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ, 
although they should be but stepping stones unto others in the perform- 
ance of so great a work. ' ' They began such commendable efforts as soon 
as a door was open, and they were aided and encouraged by the clergy. 
The civil authorities also stood back of their labors, which were not only 
in behalf of the white population but included the Indians who were 
their neighbors. 

The Massachusetts Bay Court passed an order as early as 1644 that 
"the colony should take .care that the Indians residing in their several 
shires should be civilized, and instructed in the Word of God." This 
was also the expressed desire of the Plymouth court. A society was 
organized especially to carry on the work of Christianizing and civilizing 
and educating the Indians. So successful were they in this work that 
we are told there were in Plymouth colony in 1674 four hundred and 
ninety-seven so called "Praying Indians." Many of these were in the 
secular schools which had been established for their instruction and of 
the above number seventy could write, and one hundred and forty-two 
could read English, which they had learned from Eliot's translations. 
Old Dartmouth territory was a fruitful field for these workers and their 
efforts prospered under these zealous, patient efforts, notwithstanding 
they had no sympathy or encouragement from Massasoit, who even 
besought a syndicate who were endeavoring to purchase a tract of land 
from him to use no efforts to convert any of his tribe to Christianity. 
Eliot, the missionary to the Indians, told of his endeavor to make a con- 
vert of King Philip. After he had made an earnest plea, Avhich he knew 
how to do, Philip took lu>ld of a button of Eliot's coat and said. "I do not 
care for your religion more than I care for that button." 

These "Praying Indians" soon began to collect in little villages, 
where they established schools and churches with native teachers and 
ministers under the encouragement and guidance of the white mission- 
aries. Four of these were in Old Dartmouth, one of which was in this 
town before 1699, as appears from a report found in the Massachusetts 



259 

Historical Collection, vol. 5, series 1. "Rev. Mr. Samuel Danforth," 
pastor of the church at Taunton spent May 30 to June 24, 1698 in visiting 
the several "plantations of Indians within the province of Massachu- 
setts. ' ' He writes as follows : 

"At Darkmouth we found two assemblies of Indians; at Nukkeh- 
kummees William Simons (ordained by Japhet of ^Marthas Vineyard 
three years since) is the pastor. In the church here are forty com- 
municants; part dwelling in Nukkehkummees, part in Assameekg, 
Cokesit, Acushnet, and Assawanupsit. Here are many that can read 
well. The word is preached here twice every sabbath. Twenty 
families in which one hundred and twenty persons at least, are for 
the most part constant hearers; almost all their children can read. 
Jonathan hath ])een their school master, but ceases now for want of 
encouragement. We propose his continuance, as a person well fitted 
for the employment. At Acushnet John Bryant their teacher for five 
or six years past. Here are fourteen families, into whom William 
Simons once in a month ordinarily comes and preaches. Some of 
those who belong to the church at Nukkehkummees being here 
settled, viz: five men and ten women. We find that scandals among 
them are reflected upon ; if any exceed the bounds of sobriety they 
are suspended until repentance is manifested. By the best intelli- 
gence we could arrive to from sober English dwellers on the place, 
we understand that they are diligent observers of the Sabath. They 
are generally well clothed, diligent labourers, but for want of school- 
ing their children are not so well instructed as at other places; though 
they earnestly desire a remedy." 

In some of these communities there were established courts of justice 
for civil and criminal purposes. There were some amusing incidents, no 
doubt, in the administration of justice in these primitive courts. Here 
is a warrant issued in Barnstable county by an Indian magistrate to an 
Indian constable with instructions for serving it. The absence of above- 
saids and aforesaids and other superfluous words is interesting. The 
warrant was in this unicpie form : 

I Nihoudi, 
You Peter Waterman, 
Jeremy Wicket ; 
Quick you hold him. 
Straight you bring him, 
Before me, Hihoudi. 

What disposition Judge Hihoudi made of the case is not of record. 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



"To /ice in heartx we leave hehhid 
Is not to die." 
" We live ill deeds, not years ; in thoughts, not breaths ; in feel- 
ings, not in figures on a dial. We should cowd time by heart throbs. 
He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best." 



CAPT. CHARLES H. ADAMS 



ADAIMS, CHARLES HENRY, son of 
Thomas ( Waller, Thomas, Edward 
Henry) Adams and wife Sopliia, dan. 
of Capt. Daniel Bennett of Acnshuet, 
was h. in Acnshnet. in the house 
northeast corner of "Swift's Cor- 
ner," Apr. 3d, 1817. His father 
Thomas was a stone mason. At an 
early age Charles was attacked with 
the whaling fever and shipi^ed on the 
Oregon of Fairhaven when but fonr- 
teen. He siibsequently made voy- 
ages in the George and Martha in 
1884; the London Packet as boat- 
steerer, 1836; William Taber, 1838; 
Sally Ann, 1840; then in the Pan- 
theon, and two voyages in the 
Rowena, the last as master in 1846 
at the age of 29; the California in 
1849, and the William C. Nye in 1851. 
In a 19 months' voyage in the California he brought home 3,200 barrels 
of oil and 44,500 pounds of bone; one of the largest catches on record. 
When he discontinued his seafaring life he retired to his farm situated 
at the northeast corner of Long Plain and Mattapoisett roads where he 
resided till he moved to New Bedford, where he lived to the time of his 
decease Jan. 15, 1899. Capt. Adams was a member of the Star in the 
East Lodge of Free Masons, and a regular attendant of the "White" 
church at New Bedford, contributing liberally to all its departments of 
work. His habits and character were irreproachable and his ability in 
his chosen profession was excellent. Capt. xidams was married three 
times. His last wife, who is now living, and to whom he was m. Dec. 
28, 1876, is Alice Pierce Chase, dau. of Joseph (Benjamin. Benjamin, 
Michael, Benjamin William) Chase and wife Alice Hafford (Pierce) of 
New Bedford. 




CAPT. CHARLES H. ADAMS 



261 



CAPT. JAMES R. ALLEN 




CAPT. JAMES R. ALLEN 



ALLEN, JAMES R., son of Prince, 

and wife Jane (dan. of Joel Pack- 
ard of Bridgewater), was born in 

Dartmonth, Mass., Jnly 30, 1816. 

His father died when James was an 

infant and his mother with her six 

children moved to this town. He 

went out in a whalcsliip, the Colnm- 

bia of Fairhaven, as cabin boy Avhen 

in his thirteenth year, then two 

voyages in the Marcia and one each 

in the Adeline, Tineas and Condor. 

He was master of the Condor in 1848 : 

the Canton in 1852: the Josephine in 

1856; the Eagle in 1862; the Atlantic 

in 1863. Capt. Allen was one of the 

most snccessful whalemen. In the 

30 months' voyage of the Josephine 

he bronght to the owners 1,800 barrels of oil and 60,000 pounds 
of bone. In July, 1862, he was fired on by Capt. Semmes of the 
Confederate pirate Alabama, who ran him into Flores, but he made 
his escape from the terror of the seas one night, under the cover 
of darkness. After spending nearly forty years on the sea Capt. 
Allen retired to his home on the east side of Long Plain road, a 
few rods north of Parting Ways, to live and enjoy the result of his 
long period of sea life. He possessed the highest confidence of those who 
knew him, by his integrity and upright character. He was a member and 
official of the Methodist church many years and did much for its advance- 
ment. He was connected also with the Star in the East Lodge of Free 
]\[asons in New Bedford. He died Dec. 6, 11)0-1. Capt. Allen m. Pamelia C. 
Douglass (see elsewhere). Children: (1) Josephine V. b. Sept. 24, 1860, 
m. James L. Humphrey, Jr., son of James L. and Maria (Brad- 
ford) Humphrey of New Bedford. (2) Sarah J. b. Nov. 27, 1862, m. 
Joseph T. Leonard, Ch. Millie Allen b. Oct. 1, 1886. (3) James E. b. Oct. 
11, 1865, d. Jan. 6, 1894. (4) Millie D. b. Feb. 26, 1872, m. Thomas 
Hersom, Jr., (see elsewhere). Ch. Allen Humphrey b. July 7, 1901, 
Katherine b.' Feb. 15, 1907. (5) Leslie C. b. Aug. 21, 1874, m. Sarah E. 
Faunce of Dartmouth. 



262 



CAPT. JAMES ALLEN 




CAPT. JAMES ALLEN 



ALLEN. JA:\IES. w;is l.oni in Xew 
Bodfonl Mass., Feb. Dtli, 1817. lie 
Avas a son of Capt. James K. and 
Abigail (Tn^'rahani) Allen. He 
married 1st. ^lary B., daugliter of 
Gideon and Rebecca (Blossom) Ham- 
mond of ^lattapoisett, April 15. 1842. 
who died ^[ai'di 8, 1848. lie mar- 
ried 2nd. Kliza A., daughter of Ansel 
and Hannah (HathaAvay) White of 
Acushnet. .Tul\ 1st. 184(i. Childi-cn: 
Mary TV II.. born Feb. 5. ISI.8: died 
Sept. 24. 1S48. Hannah lionise, 
born Aj)ril 14. 1S47. .lames Kidder, 
born October 2. 1852 ; died Nov. 30, 
1857. Capt. Allen commenced his 
seafaring life at the age of fourteen, 
.r-^i^j His first voyage was as cab'n boy 
with ('apt. Abram Gardner in ship Canton, Jireh Perry ownci'. Sailed 
from New Bedford Aug. l!)th, 1881; retin-ncd :\Iay 81. 1884 Second 
voyage as boatsteerer with Capt. Abram (iardiici-. slii|) ('anion, wliidi 
sailed IVoni New Bedford Oct. 25. 1S84; reliii-iied .May 21st. 188S. Tliii-d 
voyage as tirst male with ('a[)t. Kiiodolphiis X. Swift, in shin Lancaster, 
owuedby T. and A. 1\. Nye; saih'd from New Bedford Nov 15. 1888: 
returned .March 25. 1842. Fourth vo\age as captain of ship Charles 
Frederi'-k. owned by .1. A. Farker & Son. Sailed fi-om New Bedford -June 
20, 1842; returned Ai)ril 18. 1846. Fifth voyage as cajitain of the Eli/a 
L. B. fjeiniey, Gibbs & Jenney owners. Sailed from Fairhaven Dec. 1st, 
1846; returned May 15, 1851. After spending twenty years in the sperm 
whaling service, one half of these years as master. Capt. Allen retired 
from the sea and became a resident of Acuslmet. where he built a house 
and i)urchased a farm, the cult i\atioii of which he 11ioroughl\- tMi.joyed, 
showing judgment and achieving success rarely to be seen in a man who 
for so many years has followed the ocean. He united \\itli the Long- 
Plain Baptist church, of whii-h his wife is also a member. Dec. 18tli. 1857: 
d. Sept. 9th. 1860. 



263 



CAPT. EDWARD R. ASHLEY 




CAPT. EDWARD R. ASHLEY 



ASHLEY, EDWARD R.. son of Capt. 
Williams and Delaney (dan. of 
George and Lney Allen) Ashley, was 
I). May 15, 1824, on the Ashley home- 
stead, abont a mile above Long Plain. 
Capt. Williams Ashley was for many 
years a well known commander of 
vessels in the merchant marine 
service. Edward R. spent his l)oy- 
hood on the farm, and like many of 
the bright l)oys of tluit [x'riod com- 
menced- the pursuit of the leviathan 
of the deep at an early age. Promo- 
tion was rapid and he sailed as mas- 
ter of the William Wirt in 1853, the 
Reindeer in 1856, and the Governor 
Troup in 1867. He made a large 
catch each of these voyages but the 

best was in the William Wirt, when in 3] months he stowed away 2,886 
barrels of oil and ■15,000 jiounds of bone, a record seldom equalled. His 
wife accompanied him ni his voyages in the Reindeer and Gov. Troup, 
during which time their children, Edward W., Granville A. and Carrie L. 
were b at the Sandwich Islands. He gave up whaling in 1867 and pur- 
chased a farm in the village of Long Plain where he enjoyed life till his 
decease, May 30, 1900. All these years he was prominent in the political 
affairs of the town which he served in various positions of trust. He 
represented this district in the House of Representatives of 1897, where 
he did good work on the committee on Fisheries and Game. He was a 
useful member of the South Bristol Farmers' club, and prominent in the 
Odd Fellows and Masonic Fraternities, being in the Sutton Commandery 
of New Bedford. He was affable, generous hearted, and upright in his 
dealings, and was held in high esteem by his friends and townsmen. 
Capt. Ashley m. Aug. 9, 1853, Adra, dau. of Ezekiel and Lucy (Allen "i 
Braley of Rochester. Children: (1) Edward W. b. Apr. 18, 1857; now a 
resident of this town, where he has served as school committee several 
years; (2) Carrie Austin, b. Oct. 8, 1861; (3) Granville Allen, b. Aug. 9. 
1864; (4) Carrie Luella, b. Dec. 20, 1865; (5) Lucy Delaney, b. Oct. 12, 
1867, d. Oct. 28, 1893. 



264 



MRS. LIZZIETTA E. ASHLEY 

ASHLEY, MRS. LIZZIETTA E., was the only child of Nathan D. and 
Eunice (Jenney) Hiller. She was b. March 29, 1855, at Pine Island, 
Mattapoisett, Mass. Her mother died when she was only a few months 
old, and the child became an inmate of the home of her maternal grand- 
parents at Marion. In that town her childhood was passed and there she 
was educated. At the age of sixteen she began to teach school in the same 
town. Very early in life she was greatly interested in anatomy, physi- 
ology and hygiene, which seemed to be in preparation for the work she 
was to take up and carry so successfully forward in after years. At the 
old Davis place in Acushnet, on the Long Plain road, a short distance 
from Parting Ways, Mrs. Ashley first began to care for invalids, having 
room to accommodate only a very few. As time went by, the growing 
demand for her services made it apparent that there Avas for her a wider 
field of opportunity. In 1900 she purchased the Nye estate, so well 
adapted by location, size and general attractiveness for a Sanitarium. It 
required courage, energy and perseverance to undertake so great a task, 
for not only was a large sum to be paid for the estate, but much outlay 
must be made in alterations and additions to make the house suitable for 
the purpose for which it was desired. All these ]Mrs. Ashley has exhibited, 




PINE LiAWN SANITARIUM 



and ill the years since she purchased the estate "Pine Lawn Sanitarium" 
has become widely known and appreciated. ]\Irs. Ashley has made an 
assured success of the work she enjoys and is so well fitted for. She 
m. July 20, 1878, Loring P. Ashley of Acushnet. They have one child, 
Percival L. Ashley, b. Sept. 8, 1881. 



265 



HENRY BARTLETT 



BARTLETT. HENRY, son of Abner 
and Susan E. (Case) Bartlett, was 
born at Plymouth, Mass., Dec. 25, 
1858. His parents came to New 
Bedford when he was young, and 
there he received his education, 
graduating from the High School 
and also taking a course at the 
Friends' Academy. His father es- 
tablished and conducted for many 
years a fish business on the south- 
west corner of Sixth street and 
Park place. Henry succeeded him 
in this business, in which he con- 
tinued until his condition of health 
made it advisable for him to take 
up other work. He then purchased 
the pleasant farm in this town on 

the Mill road, a half mile above Swift's corner, where he has since resided 
and been extensively engaged in market gardening and i)Oultry raising. 
Oct. 17, 1883, he m. Jennie P., dau. of Jonathan and pJulia (Gifford) 
Parker of New Bedford. They have two daughters, Alice Courtland, b. 
Sept. 7, 1885, and Claire, b. IMarch 26, 1889. I\Ir. and Mrs. Bartlett are 
members of the South Bristol Farmers' Club. 




HENRY .BAllTLETT 



266 



GUSTAVUS LEONARD BENNETT 




GUSTAVUS LEONARD BENNETT 



BENNETT, GUST AVUSLEONARD, 

was born in Acushnet Nov. 26, 1836. 
He was sou of Leonard and Rebecca 
(Potter) Bennett of Long Plain, and 
g'. son of Capt. Joseph Bennett, who 
was in the Revolutionary war and 
livc^l on tlu^ north side of Middle 
roiiil in this town. i\Ir. Bennett was 
educated in the public schools of his 
native town. lie caught the whaling 
fever when but a boy and engaged in 
tluit pursuit until he made a voyage 
as second nrdte. About this time the 
Civil war broke out. and he served as 
Quartermaster on a steamer which 
sailed between New York and Aspin- 
wall. After the war closed he was 
for a time in Chicago, but l)eing dis- 



satisfied with conditions there, he returned to Acushnet to enjoy the 
remainder of his life, on his farm, which was located on the east side 
of the Long Plain road about one-half mile north of Perry Hill road. He 
died July 4, 1902. He married Aug. 26, 1866, Sarah Jane, dan. of 
Thomas and Phoelie (F*ierce) Davis, and g. dau. of Nicholas Davis of 
Acushnet. Children: (1) Charles Davis. (2) Phoebe Elizabeth (see else- 
where), (3) Clara Louise. 



CAPT. SETH M. BLACKMER 



BLACK:\IER, SETH :\1.. was b. in Acushnet June 17, 1819, on the ]\[ason 
Taber place, northeast corner Long Plain and Perry Hill roads. He was 
the sou of Salisbury and g. son of Capt. Salisbury Blackmer, who m. Lucy, 
dau. of Ellis Mendell of Acushnet. His father died when Seth was less 
than three years of age and he lived with his uncle Seth Mendell at Matta- 
poisett, attending the district school in the winter months. When but 
fourteen he began a seafaring life, shipping as cabin boy on the whaleship 
Pacific at 175th lay. Subsequent voyages were on Pacific 1838, IMont- 
pelier 1840. Erie 1851, Roman 1853, Stella 1862, Arctic 1868. He was cap- 
tain when ))ut twenty-one and part owner of the Juliana in 1840. He 
rounded Cape Horn thirteen times and sailed around the world eight 
times. Capt. Blackmer m. 1st, June, 1851, Catharine A., dau. of George 
Meudall of Acushnet; m. 2nd, June 25th, 1857, Catharine's sister Hannah. 
The Noah Mendell house was built by him. He moved from Acushnet to 
Hyde Park in the early seventies and died there. 



267 

BRADFORD FAMILY 

The Bradfords who have resided in Aciishnet are direct from Gov. 
"William^ of the Mayflower, as follows : William^, William^, John^, Sam- 
uel^, John^. and Oliver^, who was b. 1759, m. Sarah Chipman, wdio was a 
descendant of John Ilowland of the Mayflower. Oliver Bradford came 
to Acushnet and settled on the P. A. Bradford farm on ^lattapoisett road. 
Among the 9 children of Oliver*', was Abigail", who m. Lemuel Spooner 
and lived on Wing lane? Seth C'.. b. 1783; lived in the Bradford house; 
his dan. Sarah A. m. Samuel Hamilin of this town. Valentine', b. 1785, 
m. in 1822, Jane (Packard), Avidow of Prince Allen of Dartmouth; had 
]Maria S., b. 1828, m. James L. Humphrey of Acushnet and New Bedford. 
Harmony P.", b. 1832; m. Capt. ^lartin L. Eldridge. Valentine lived on 
Long Plain road op])osite the William Brownell estate. Marlboro', m. 
Dorothy Tripp of Long Plain and lived in Fairhaven. Melvin, b. 1791 ; 
lived opposite Precinct cemetery near Parting Ways and cm Laura Keene 
farm, m. Hannah, dan. of Humphrey Kempton. George', b. 1793; m. 
Sally, dau. of Joel and Harmony K. Packard. 

WILLIAM BRADFORD, 8TE 



K^*!^?*"' 



BRADFORD. WILLL\.M« 
son of Melvin^ (see above) 
Bradford, was b. Apr. 30, 
1823, in the house oppo- 
site the Precinct cemetery, 
west of Parting Ways. 
His education was limit- 
ed to that furnished by 
the district seliool near 
Ills l)irthp]aee. lie early 
lUrinifested a, i)assionate 
fondness for drawing' 
whieh later developed 
into marvelous results. 
With him 

"Childhood -showed the man, 
As morning' does the day." 

For several years he 
tried mercantile pursuits 
as clerk and in partuer- 
shij) with his father ' and 
others, bat these enter- 
prises were failures. These 
failures were blessings in 
disguise to himself and 
the world. He then turned his whole time and attention to that for which 




WILLIAM BRADFORD, 8TH 



268 



he was by nature best fitted, and began his career as a marine artist, in 
which he became world renowned. He* rapidly ascended in his 
ehoseii profession and in 1861, through the generous aid of some of 
his enthusiastic friends, he was able to gratify an almost uncontrollable 
desire to visit the Arctic regions for the purpose of sketching and photo- 
graphing. This he did in a 110 ton schooner from Boston. One painting 
made after this adventure, "Sealers Crushed in the Icebergs," was bought 
for $10,000 by a New York gentleman, who freely otfered Mr. Bradford 
$20,000 towards another Arctic expedition he was about to undertake. 
He made this celebrated trip in the steamer Panther in 1869. He subse 
quently made an elegant painting of "The Panther Off the Coast of 
Greenland," which Queen Victoria purchased and hung in Windsor 
Castle. The magnificent products of his brush were purchased for large 
sums by notable men in this country and in Europe. In London alone 
$150,000 worth of them were bought. ^luch of his choicest work was 
done in his studio on th(^ west side of the house on the Laura Keene farm 
overlooking the delightful Acushnet valley. Mr. Bradford was president 
of the San Francisco Art association ; an associate member of the National 
Academy of Design, and of the Century club of New York city. He was 
eminent in his profession; a heaven-liorn genius! A life long friend 
wrote of him: "His steadfast conscience, deep reverence, unswerving 
trust in (iod. his genial sweetness, his intense lovable nature with his great 
gifts made him what he was." He died alone in his studio, Apr. 25, 1892, 
Mr. Bradford m. Dec. 15, 1817, INlary S^vett, dan. of Nathan and Mary 
Eastman (Swett) Breed of Lynn. They had two children who d. young, 
and a dau. Mary Eastman, who resides at Fairhaven. ]Mass. IMr. Brad- 
ford's grave in Riverside cemetery, Fairhaven, is marked by a granite 
boulder obtained at Fairhaven. Upon it, with his name, are these lines 
from Whittier: 

"Something it has— a flavor of the sea 
And the sea's freedom — which reminds of thee." 




GllANE OF WILLIAM BUADFOUD 



269 



PHILIP A. BRADFORD 



BRADFORD, PHILIP A.\ son of 

Seth C.^ (above) and Nancy (Ham- 
mond) Bradford, was b. at Mattapoi- 
sett, Oct. 2. 1823. His parents 
moved to the farm on which he has 
since lived on the Mattapoisett road. 
Avhen he was 8 years old. At the 
age of 16 he commenced his o-yeac 
apprenticeshij) to a house carpenter's 
trade and followed that oecnpation 
till 1876,, when he settled down to 
tilling the ancestral acres, to which 
he intelligently and indnstrionsly ap- 
plied himself. ^Iv. Hradford in 
politics was a Whig and later a Re- 
publican. Always interested in town 
affairs, he served on the School Com- 
mittee several years ; was a town Con- 
stable 22 years ; an inspector of cattle 

many years till ill health compelled him to discontinue the work. He 
was one of the original members of the South Bristol Farmers' club. For 
12 years agent for the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He 
has led a busy life and always held the esteem of the public. Mr. 
Bradford m. Dec. 8, 1870. Anna Hathaway, dau. of Samuel Spooner and 
Sarah Pope (Hathaway) Wing. Children: (1) Melvin Otis, b. Jan. 6. 
1872; a graduate of South Lancaster Academy. (2) Joel Packard. (See 
elsewhere). (8) Philip Allen, 1). Nov. 26, 1884, m. Dec. 6, 1906, Ivy Mae 
Hester of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. 




I'liotci. hy .las E. Keeil. New Beilt'oid 



PHILIP A. BRADFORD, 8TH 



270 



JOEL PACKARD BRADFORD, M. D. 



BRADFORD, JOEL PACKARD^. 
:\r. D.. son of Philip A.^ (see p. 269), 
was b. Aii^-. 21, 1878, at the Bradford 
homestead on the Mattapoisett road, 
this town. He was educated in the 
town schools and at South Lancaster 
Academy, in this state, and com- 
menced a medical course of study at 
the University of Michigan but on 
account of lung trouble was obliged 
to complete his studies at the Uni- 
versity of Colorado, where he re- 
ceived the degree of M. D. in June, 
1900. Since then he has been con- 
nected professionally with a branch 
of the Boulder, Colorado, Sani- 
tarium, and a branch of the Battle 
Creek Sanitarium at Philadelphia. 
He returned to his native town in 1905, where he has since practiced medi- 
cine. He has had a strong foe to life and prosperity in the form of 
tuberculosis but he has maintained the fight with great fortitude and 
success. He m. Aug. 24, 1898, in Denver, Colorado, Eliza B., dan. of John 
Q. and Elzyra Y. Burleigh of Bloomington, Neb. Ch. : Dorothy Wing, 
b. Feb. 18, 1904, and James Packard, b. INEay 1, 1906. In view of the 
growth of the north end of New Bedford and there being no hospital 
privileges there, Dr. Bradford opened The Acushnet Sanitarium, near 
Lund's corner, where not only hospital facilities are installed, but especial 
attention is given to physiological therapeutics and medical dietetics. 




Plioto. by James E. Reed, New Bedford 
JOEL, PACKARD BRADFORD, M. D. 



271 



THOMAS ELWOOD BRALEY 




BRALEY, THOMAS ELWOOD, son 
of Russell, (Russell) and wife of Me- 
heteble Williams, was born in Roch- 
ester, Mass.. ]\Iay 8, 1833. He was 
educated in the public schools rind 
later took a commercial course of 
study. Mr. Braley chose a sea- 
faring life and made his first voyage 
in the whaleship Canton, which 
sailed from New Bedford in August. 
J852. The vessel w;is shipwriM-kcd 
on Mary's Island in the Pacific 
ocean, March, 1854. .Mr. Brnley and 
others of the crew were in an open 
whaleboat 49 days before they 
reached the harbor of Guam, La- 
drone Islands. From there he re- 
turned home on merchantmen by 

way of China and Liverpool. In 1855 he sailed on the ship Kutusoff as 
boatsteerer, and returned as third mate. In 1860 he went out on the 
ship Thomas Dickerson as second officer, returning as first mate. Soon 
after this voyage Mr. Braley engaged in mercantile pursuits in New 
Bedford, first in the wholesale cigar and tobacco trade, and later in the 
grocer}^ and provision business. In 1874 he became a resident of 
Acushnet, where he has since been engaged in farming and cranberry 
growing. ]\Ir. Braley is a Republican. He cast his maiden vote for 
Abraham Lincoln in San Francisco in 1864. He has served on the school 
committee of this town six years, and several years on the Republican 
town committee. He is a member of Eureka lodge, Adoniram Chapter, 
Sutton Commandery of Free Masons, of New Bedford ; of the Old Colony 
and the Old Dartmouth Historical Societies ; the Long Plain Library 
association, and the South Bristol Farmers' clul). Mr. Braley was 
married Sept. 5, 1860, to Elizabeth, daughter of Silas and Mehitable 
(Ashley) Williams of New Bedford. 



riKito, hy James E. Reed, New Beilford 

THOMAS ELWOOD BRALEY 



272 



CAPT. ISAAC V. BRALEY 



BRALEY. ISAAC V., son of Russell and Mehetable (Williams) (dau. of 
Silas Williams of Raynham) Braley, was b. in Rochester, Mass., Dec. 9, 
1835. He received his education in the schools of his native town and 
Boston. He became a resident of Acnshnet in 1875. In 1852, when about 
seventeen years of age, he began to follow the sea and his first voyage 
was in ship Pacific, Capt. James R. Allen. He then went on ship Alex- 
ander and when two and one-half years out, with 1.500 l)arrels of sperm 
oil. the ship was wrecked on the coast of New Zealand. He took passage 
from there to Australia on a merehnnt vessel and shipped from the latter 
point to San Francisco, going two voyages from there to the Ochotsk sea 
in ship Massachusetts, coming home by the way of Panama. Later he was 
in the Pioneer two years and a half. He entered the U. S. navy Feb. 4, 

1865, and served as Acting Ensign on the U. S. gunboat Stepping Stones. 
He was honorably discharged July 22, 1865. After a long illness con- 
tracted in tlie service, Capt. Braley sailed in the spring of 1866 in n 
steam whaler, but another attack of the previous illness forced 
him to leave the vessel about the middle of the voyage. Afte.'" 
a short time he went again in a steam whaler and the following 
year joined the Starlight at Fayal. In 1875 he sailed from New 
Bedford in the Abbott Lawrence, and in 1878 from Boston in the 
Rose Baker, sailing from the same port in the Herman Smith in 1885. 
Later he made voyages from San Francisco to the Arctic ocean until his 
health failed and he was obliged to retire from sea service. For nearly 
twenty years Capt. Braley has lived at his home in Long Plain, as he 
himself says, "on the sick list." much of that time. He m. Dec. 12, 

1866, Sarah J., dau. of Stephen S. Haswell of Acushnet. Mrs. Braley 
was for many years a teacher in her native town, beginning before the 
age of eighteen to teach in the old Bisbee schoolhouse. She taught in 
various parts of Acushnet, in Rochester and in South Yarmouth, giving 
twenty-two years of service in this profession. She was appointed 
Postmistress at Long Plain July, 1901, and served acceptably until the 
discontinuance of the office there. Ch. (1) Isaac Walton, b. in Rochester. 
Mass., March 5, 1871; (2) Walton E., 1). in Fall River, Dec. 30, 1873; (3^ 
Alice R., b, in Acushnet June 6, 1875. 



273 



WILLIAM BROWNELL 




WILLIAM BROWNELL 



BROWNELL, WILLIAM, son of 
Thomas and wife Mary (Shaw) 
Brownell, was born in Portsmouth, 
K. I., June 17, 1801. His ancestor 
Thomas, b. in 1610. came from Derl)y- 
shire, England. He Avas one of the 
early settlers of Rhode Island, where 
he was a dei)uty ;iiid lield other |inl)- 
lic offices. After receiving the liene- 
fit of the schools of his native i)laee, 
^Iv. Brownell studied mechanical 
engineering in Boston for a while 
Poor health compelled him to discon- 
tinue this and to give up the occupa- 
tion of his choice. Later he carried 
on a successful livery stable business 
in New Bedford for 25 years. Then 
he gratified a life-long wish for a 

home in the country by purchasing the Isaac Vincent farm, situated on 
the west side of Long Plain road just above Perry Hill road Here he 
luiilt a commodious house on the site of the renoAvned Vincent tavern 
and on this place he passed the remainder of his life. Mr. Brownell was 
a UKMiilier of the New Bedford guards; an aid of the commanding officer. 
He was for 50 years a devout member of Grace church, Ejuscopal, of New 
Bedford, and served several years as vestryman and senior warden. He 
was a man of excellent character, good business ability, interested in 
public affairs and highly esteemed. He died June 5, 1887. Mr. Brownell 
m. June 19, 1834. Rebecca, dau.- of Judge Joseph and Amy Childs of Ports- 
mouth. R. I., who Avas b. Jan. 20. 1813: many years a consistent member 
of the Episcopal church: d. Dec. 16. 1879. Children: (1) Emily A.; (2) 
Fanny C. AAdio m. Hon. Lyman D. Stevens of Concord, N. H., they have 
Ch. dau. Frances Childs, and son William Lyman, a graduate of Dart- 
moutli. and Harvard Law School; (3) William Frederick, m. Evelyn H. 
Keith of Boston and have ch. Marguerite H. m. Frank H. Bowles; Evelyn 
K. ; William M. : Walter K. ; Mary A. William F. is in business in Boston; 
residence Brookline ; (1) Joseph T., the only one born in Acushnet. (See 
elsewhere.) 



274 



JOSEPH T. BROWNELL 




JOSEPH T. BROWNELL, 



BROWNELL. JOSEPH T., son of 
William (see p. 273), was b. in 
Aenslmet. He was educated in the 
Academy at Rochester Centre and 
the Friends' Academy. New Bedford. 
He chose agriculture for a life work 
and resides with his sister Emily A. 
at ''Woodlands." the homestead, 
where he has skilfully cultivated the 
farm since the death of his father. 
]Mr. Brownell has served the town 
for a number of years as j\uditor 
l)ut has declined to accept other 
town offices. He is a hiii'hly es- 
teemed member of the South Bristol 
Farmers' chib and one of its board 
of directors. 



CAPT. FRANCIS A. BUTTS 



BUTTS, FRANCIS A.. 2nd son of Enoch and Eunice Butts, was b. 
in New Bedford March 31. 1815. He settled in North Fairhaven. now 
Acushnet, in 1836 and was for many years interested in and an official 
of the Methodist church there. He followed the sea as a whaleman and 
became a master mariner. Married Abbie H., 3d dan. of Jonathan and 
Dorcas Danforth of the same town. Ch. (1) Francis A.. Jr., b. Feb. 11, 
1838; (2) Jonathan D.. b. I\lareh 21. 1843. drowned at sea Nov. 13. 1870; 
(3) Dorcas M. 1). March 24, 1845. All born in Acnshnet. 



275 
CYRUS E. CLARK 



CLARK, CYRUS E., was the son of Nathan and g. s. of Nathan Clark, 
both of llochester, where Cyrus E. was b. Nov. 7, 1796. There he was 
educated in the public schools and continued to reside till he was m. 
when he moved to Acushnet village, remaining till his death. He com- 
menced business here as a grocer and continued in it for ten years. He 
was appointed postmaster at Acushnet April 1. 1828, and during all the 
changes of administration he held the ol¥ice uninterruptedly as long as he 
was physically able to attend to it. His upright character, good judg- 
ment and honesty of purpose caused him to l)e a trusted servant of his 
fellow townsmen continuously during his citizenship of Acushnet. He 
was chosen selectman in 1832 and held the office without intermission 
till 1864. He was a member of the Lower House of the legislature in 1832, 
1837, 1840, and of the Senate in 1843. He was a Justice of the Peace more 
than a half century. He did a good deal of land surveying, probate 
business, settling estates, etc. He was commissioned Lieut.-colonel of 
militia in early life and at the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861 he tried 
to enlist hut was rejected on account of advanced age. He was chairman 
of the board of selectmen during the four years of that war, discharging 
the difficult and onerous duties with the hearty approval of his constitu- 
ents. ]\Ir. Clark m. July 27, 1822,'Sophronia, dau. Capt. James Wood of 
Middleboro. Children : Lucy ^I. ; Cyrus E., Jr. ; Avery C. ; Frederick W. ; 
Cyrus E., Jr. 



DAVID COCHRANE 



COCHRANE, DAVID, son of Peter Cochrane and wife Eunice (Sanford) 
both of Falmouth, was born in Springfield, Mass., May 15, 1815. He 
attended the Feeding Hill school in his native town and assisted his 
father, who kept a hotel and had a farm, till he was 17 years, old, when 
he shipped on the whaler L. C. Richmond of Fairhaven, making two 
voyages in her. In July, 1851, he sailed on his first voyage as master and 
continued in that capacity, making excellent catches, till 1863. In 1865 
he bought of Capt. Wilber Kelley the farm and ])uildings at Parting 
Ways and resided there till his death. He conducted a grocery business 
for many years in the store on the above premises, standing at the head 
of Fairhaven road. Capt. Cochrane in 1845 m. Lydia A. Wilson of 
Newport, R. I. They had one child, Emily. 



276 



HANANIAH WING COLLINS 



COLLINS, HANANIAH WING, son of Capt. Edward and Esther Delano 
(Tinkham) Collins, was b. in Mattapoisett June 2, 1888. On his mother's 
side he was descended from the French Hngnenot Philip de La Noy, 
who came to Plymouth in the Fortune in 1621. He was son probably of 
Jean and Maria de Launej^ He was one of the original purchasers of 
Dartmouth and his son Jonathan settled here, where he was a Lieutenant 
of Militia and representative at the General Court. Lieut. Jonathan's 
g. dau. was the great grandmother of President U. S. Grant. Mr. Collins 
began to go to sea when eighteen years of age and continued in this occu- 
pation for a number of years. Later he engaged in surveying and was 
Assistant Postmaster in Acushnet village at the time his son-in-law 
Charles H. Kenyon was Postmaster. He m. -June 6. 1867, -Helen Augusta, 
dau. of Amos and ^leloi'v Chafee, b. in North Fairhaven April 23, 1839. 
They had Ch. (1) Abbie L., b. April 11, 1868, m. Dee. 9. 1898, Charles H. 
Kenyon (see elsewhere) ; (2) Edward, h. Aug. 1, 1870. m. April 18, 1901, 
Ella aiacomber; (3) Helen, b. Dec. 19, 1872, m. Sept. 29, 1898, Isaac 
Reed; (4) Mary, b. July 5, 1874; (5) Elsie, b. June 9, 1881. 



ARTHUR C. CORY 




riidtci. by Jus. E. Keed, Ni'w Bi'dlonl 

ARTHUR C. CORY 



CORY, ARTHUR C, is desceiuh^d 
from Samuel, Samuel, Sjimucl -If.. 
Cory, all of Portsnu)uth, R. 1. His 
g. grandfather Cory was in the Rev- 
olutionary war and his g. g. grand- 
father Brownell was a major in the 
war of 1812. Samuel, Jr.. m. Eme- 
liiie S., dau. of James and Ann M. 
(CoolO Brownell. Sept. 20, 1863. 
He came to Acushnet in 1867 and 
purchased of Lettice "Washburn the 
house where he now resides. They 
had Ch. Bertha, b. Sept. 7, 1864, d. 
]\Iareh 7. 1885 : Arthur C, b. March 
14. 1866, and Alfred M. B., b. April 
11, 1868. Arthur C. acquired his 
education in the public schools of 
Acushnet. At the age of eighteen 



277 

he learned the trade of a carpenter of Brownell & Murkland of New 
Bedford. He remained with them ten years and then was in the employ 
of J. W. Bishop Company of Worcester, Mass., as snperintendent, building- 
the Bennett mill No. 5, Pierce mill, Union Street Railway power house, 
the Twist Drill and City mill. He was then superintendent for the B. F. 
Smith Company of Pawtucket, R. I., building the Whitman No. 1, Butler, 
Kilburn, Taber and Nonquitt mills. He is now at work on the Manomet 
No. 2. Mr. Cory built also the Oxford schoolhouse and the Mattapoisett 
town house, besides doing other work here and there, showing that he has 
led a very busy life. He m. Nov. 19, 1895, Sarah P., dan. of Ale* 
and Etta Simmons of New Bedford. They have Ch. Clarence Mel- 
vin, b. Nov. 19, 1897, and Edna Bertha, b. Aug. 4, 1898. In 1896 Mr. Cory 
bought a house on the Fairhaven road near his father's residence, which 
he reinodelled and where he now resides. He has been a man of industry 
and thrift and by perseverance, skill and integrity has been very suc- 
cessful in his chosen occu2)Htion. 



REV. PHILIP CRANBON 



CRANDON, REV. PHILIP, was of English-Scotch descent. John^ Cran- 
don was b. in Topsham, England, and his wife Jean Bess in Jedburg, 
Scotland. They had son Thomas-, who m. Ruth Howland, a descendant, 
of John of the Mayflower. Their s., Philip^, was b. in Rochester, Mass.. 
in 1769. He was a master mariner ; Selectman of the town 19 years, and 
two terms a member of the house in the General Court. He m. 1st Esther 
Dillingham, and m. 2nd Rebecca Hathaway Jan. 26, 1806. They were the 
parents of the subject of this sketch who was b. in Rochester Jan. 4, 1810, 
and his mother d. the 6th of the following month. He studied for the 
ministry and was for many years a member of the New England Southern 
Conference. Rev. Philip m. Harriet P., dan. of Lemuel Sisson of Little 
Compton, R. I., Jan. 15, 1839. Children : (1) Eleanor A., b. Oct. 16, 1840, 
m. Orin York and had George B., who m. Emma T., dau. of Albert Morse 
of Acushnet, now living at Fairhaven, Mass. ; (2) Elizabeth H., b. Apr. 26, 
1845; (3) Harriet A., b. Aug. 20, 1849, m. Orin York; (4) Philip H., 
b. Oct. 27, 1858, m. Emma F., dau. of Jonathan and Lurana Winslow, Feb. 
22, 1883, and had children : (1) Philip H., b. Nov. 27, 1883; (2) Frank P. 
and (3) Charles H., twins, b. Nov. 9, 1886; (4) Albert S., b. March 1, 1893. 



278 



JAMES CUSHMAN 



CUSHMAN, JAMES, Elkauah, Elder Thomas, Rev. Robert b. in Ply- 
mouth; settled in Acushnet. Among his children b. in Dartmouth were 
James, Thomas, Seth, Patience who m. A. Cornish, and Elisha. James^. 
son of above James^, had Jonathan b. in Acushnet Oct. 26, 1754; m. Mary 
dau. Isaac and Mary Spooner. He had the best education the town school 
then afforded; shipped on a whaleman as cabin boy and was master of 
a brig at the age of 20. He was an officer of a sloop of war in the Revo- 
lutionar}^ war ; was captured and imprisoned in the Jersey prison ship on 
the Hudson river. He served nearly the whole period of the war, as did 
also his brother Henry, who was b. in Acushnet and was an officer of a 
vessel when captured. 



EMERY CUSHMAN 



CUSHMAN, EIVIERYS, was the son 
of David'^, Joseph*', Joshua^, Rob- 
ert*, Thomas^, Thomas^, Robert^ 
Cushman and his wife Betsey 
Thomas of Middleboro, to whom he 
was m. April 18, 1799. He was 
b. in Duxbury July 6, 1814. 
His opportunity for an education 
was limited and as soon as he 
was old enough he learned a cabinet 
maker's trade. In 1840 he engaged 
in the business of manufacturing 
wooden boxes in Providence, R. I., 
continuing there till 1857, when he 
removed it to this town. Here he 
built the house situated on the west 
side of Long Plain road north of 
Parting Ways, where he resided 
until his decease Apr. 5, 1884. The 
factory stood in the rear o± tlie dwelling. The business outgrew the 
accommodations here and to increase the plant to meet the demands of a 
growing trade with the rapidly increasing cotton manufacturing in New 
Bedford, Mr. Cushman purchased the Thomas Wood mill property, north- 
eastward from his residence, and moved his business there in 1874, con- 




EMERY CUSHMAN 



279 



tinning there till he died. His snceessfnl bnsiness career was the result 
of upright dealings, good judgment and tireless industry. During many 
of the later years of his life he was a consistent and generous member and 
official of the Methodist church, as was also his wife, who was Caroline 
S. Douglass (see elsewhere) to whom he was m. June '2, 1853, and who d. 
May 31. 1900. Ch. (1) Julia L. D.. h. Sept. 25, 1853. m. Pardon T. Gard- 
ner, had one son Earl C, b. Oct. 11, 1885, she d. Jan. 6, 1887 ; (2) Carrie 
D. (see elsewhere) ; (3) Henry W. (see elsewhere) ; (4) Emery E. (see 
elsewhere). 



HENRY W. CUSHMAN 



CUSH^IAN, HENRY W., son of 
Emery Cushnian. (see elsewhere), 
was 1)oni ill Acushnet Feb. 20. 1850, 
He was from good Plymouth stock. 
His ancestors. Rev. Robert Cushnum. 
and his son. Elder Thomas- eame 
in the Fortune in 1<)21. and Thomas" 
Cushman m. HnUi, dau. of -John' 
Howland, who cainc in the Mayflow- 
er. On (•oni])l('ling his comuKm sclioo] 
education Mr. Cushman at once be- 
came an al)h' assistant to his fathei- 
in his l)ox factory, remaining witli 
him till 188(). when he succeeded him 
in business, which he conducted 
alone until his death, IMay 12, lf)04. 
The business grew to large ])r()i)or- 
tions under Mr. Cushman 's judicious 

management, square dealing, and the prompt meethig of ever\' just 
obligation. He was deeply interested in the welfare of his home and of 
the community, where he was held in high regard. Mr. Cushman m. 
Oct. 29. 1895, Frances K., dan. of Francis C. and Katharine H. (Brady) 
Eldredge of Acushnet; a granddaughter of Capt. Ellis C. Eldredge of 
Fairhaven. Children: (1) Henry, b. Sept. 7, 1886: (2) Emery, b. Oct. 24. 
1887: (3) Ruth, b. Oct. 27, 1889; (4) Francis, b. Oct. 10, 1895. Henry 
and Emery were educated at the public schools of this town and New 
Bedford and the Highland Military Academy at Worcester. They are 
carrying on the above business foi- the heirs of their father. 




HENRY W. CUSHMAN 



^80 



EMERY EUGENE CUSHMAN 



CUSHMAN, EMERY EUGENE^, son 
of Emery^, DavicF, Joseph^, Joshua^, 
Robert^, Thomas-^- Thomas^, Robert^ 
Cushman and wife Caroline S. 
(Douglass) was b. in Acnshnet Oct. 
13, 1866. As stated elsewhere, his 
ancestors, Rev. Robert^ Ciishman 
and his son, Elder Thomas', came 
to Plymouth in the Fortune in 1621, 
and Thomas^ Cushman m. Ruth, the; 
dau. of John Howland of the Alay- 
tiower. On his mother's side he is 
descended from John Douglass, b. in 
Scotland about 1695 (see Douglass 
Family). He was educated in the 
public schools of his native town 
and at Bryant and Stratton's Busi- 
ness College, Providence, R. I. At 
the close of his school life Mr. Cushman went into the mill with his 
brother, Henry W., and for seventeen years was foreman there. Later he 
became interested in the raising of poultry, and is now extensively 
engaged in the business. He deals exclusively in pure bred stock. Mr. 
Cushman m. Aug. 12, 1891, Deborah C, dan. of Horatio N. and Mary J 
Wilbur (see elsewhere). They have one child, Mary Wilbur, b. Feb. 23, 
1900. In 1896 they erected the house on the Fairhaven road opposite thy 
estate of Horatio N. Wilbur, where they have since resided. Mr. 
Cushman is actively interested in the business of the town. He was 
elected on the School Committee in 1905, and is now chairman of the 
Board. He is also a member of the Board of Health. 




Photo, by Jas. E. Reed, New Bedfunl. 

EMERY EUGENE CUSHMAN 



'281 



RICHARD DAVIS, SR. 



DAVIS, RICHARD, SR., son of 

Nicholas (Timothy Nicholas, Timo- 
thy, John, Dolar) and wife Ruth. 
Davis was b. in Acnshnet Jnly 19, 
1814. He was educated in the schools 
of this town and the Friends' school 
at Providence R. I. 

Dolar Davis, b. 1593. came to 
America from Wales with his four 
sons in 1634. They were in Cam- 
bridge, Mass.. and the family after- 
wards settled in Barnstable, wlici-c 
Dolar was a prominent citizen. 

Mr. Davis m. Anna S. Chase, 
dau. of Nathan (Henry E., Nathan, 
Nathan, Holder, Benjamin, William, 
William) Chase of Tiverton, R. I. 
William^ and wife JMary came with 
the Gov. Winthrop party in 1630. 

Children: (1) Richard, Jr^. ; (2) Ruth A.; (3) Nathan C. His Davis 
ancestors for many generations were of the Friends' Society, of which 
Mr. Davis was a lifelong and consistent member, holding various offices 
of responsibility, including clerk and overseer. He d. at Long Plain 
April 26, 1877. 




Pilot. 1, h,v .las. E. Keud, New Bedford 

RICHARD DAVJS, SR. 



282 
JOHN R. DAVIS, JR. 




JOHN R. DAVIS, JR. 



DAVIS. JOHN R.7, JR., son of John 
R.^ Nicholas^ Nicholas^ Timothy^, 
pjohn^, Dolar^ and wife, Grace 
(Wing) Davis, was b. in Falmouth 
Ang. 4, 1815. John, his father, was 
b. Sept. 9, 1775. and Grace Wing, 
his mother, Sept. 13, 1783. His g. m. 
Davis was Sarah Williams, and his 
g. g. m. Davis was Ruth Tucker. H3 
graduated from the Friends' school 
in Providence, R. I., and then kept 
store at Parting Ways for a time. 
Later he moved to the store after- 
wards occupied by Isaac Anthony, 
and in 1850 he bought Pope Tavern, 
so-called, in the village, where he 
resided and carried on a general 
country store until his death. Ha 
was also a jeweler and watch repairer. It' is said that cattle drivers 
passing through the village with their droves would find shelter for them 
over night i.u the barn of Mr. Davis, which was often filled. The tavern 
■\vas an old landmark and was in the possession of the family for more 
than a half century. Mr. Davis m. Abby P. Leavitt, b. at Livermore, 
Maine, Sept. 22, 1817. dan. of Rouse Howland and Annie (Morse) Leavitt. 
Oh: (1) Louise C. b. June 22, 1849, m. Edwin DeForest Douglass 
(see elsewhere) ; (2) James, (see elsewhere) ; (3) Abbie L.. b. Jan. 23, 
1853; (4) Ella C. b. Feb. 10. 1857. Abbie L. m. June 16, 1881, Abram L. 
Dillingham of Acushuet. Ch : Forest Clark, b. June 12, 1882. d. 
in infancy ; Grace Pearl, b. July 27. 1883 ; John Lemuel, b. May 14, 1885, 
d. in infancy; Marian Alberta, b. Jan. 30, 1890; Ruth Lincoln, b. Nov. 
11, 3892. Mr. Dillingham has been in the grocery and milk business, and 
sincf^ Oct. 1, 1903, has 1)e(Mi letter carrier on one of the Rural Free Deliv- 
ery routes in Acushuet. Mr. Davis was a birthright member of the 
Friends, both his father and mother were ministers, and he an elder in 
that society. He d. Oct. 19, 1888. Mrs. Davis was a member of the 
Methodist church in the village. She lived to the advanced age of eighty- 
seven, and was greatly beloved by all who knew her. She d. July 10, 1904. 



283 
WALTER A. DAVIS 

DAVIS, WALTER A., h. in Aciishnet May 27, 1822, was the son of 
Walter and Rose (Hinds) Davis and g. son of Nathan and Rose (Allen) 
Davis. Rose Hinds Davis lived more than a eentnry. She was b. August, 
1791, and d. October, 1891. As a boy I\Ir. Davis was of studious habits 
and acquired the best education the public schools could provide. At 
an early age he engaged in school teaching in his native town, where he 
manifested his interest in education in various ways. He taught many 
terms and was a useful member of the school committee in this town 
many years. He also tilled the t';inii he owned on Quaker Lane. Mr. 
Davis earl,y associated himself with th<* Baptist church at Long Plain. 
where he was a loyal, consistent meml)er. He was held in high esteem 
by his neighbors and fellow townsmen for his upright Christian life. He 
m. March 12. 1849, :Mary ('.. dau. of Zacharias and Catharine Ryder of 
Middleboro. Ch. both b. in Acushnet : (1) Rose A., b. Feb. 20, 1850; (2) 
Ada F., b. June 27, 1852, m. Thomas J. Robinson, Mr. Davis d. Julv 
10, 1892. 

JOSEPH R. DAVIS 



DAVIS, JOSEPH R., son of Walter 
and Ruth (Hines) Davis and g. s. 
of Nathan and Rose (Allen) Davis, 
was b. March 16, 1831, at the Davis 
homestead on Quaker Lane. Long 
Plain. .Ml'. Davis was an industrious 
student and earlv in life began 
teaching, which occupation he en- 
gaged in much of the time for many 
.years with great success. When 
not teaching he engaged in agi'icul- 
tural pursuits. He was an active 
and useful member of the Bap- 
tist church at Long Plain from the 
time .of his joining it in 1856 till his 
death, continuously holding various 
offll:es, including that of chorister, 
for 40 years. Mr. Davis m. Nov. 16, 
1853, Mary, dau. of Martin and Cynthia (IMendell) Sherman of Rochester. 
Children : Laura S. and Sarah C, both of whom d. in childhood. Mrs. 
Davis has been a loyal, helpful member of the Baptist church since 1858. 
She is now living in the house they built in 1894, corner Rochester road 
in Long Plain. 



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JOSEPH 11. DAVIS 



'2U 



RICHARD DAVIS, JR. 



DAVIS, RICHARD, JR., son of 

Richard, Sr. (see elsewhere) was b. 
in Acnshnet Ang. 1, 1847. He pre- 
pared in the Acnshnet pnblic schools 
for the Friends' school in Provi- 
dence, R. I., where lie graduated in 
I\[arch, 1866. He then tanght school. 
In JMarch, 1867, he and his father 
bought out the grocery business of 
Sfnnucl \Vil(h^ at Long Plain. The 
store was situated on the west side 
of the road and was destroyed by 
tire in .May. 1883. It was not re- 
built but the store now standing 
nearly opposite was constrncted and 
the business was continned there. 
He and his father carried on this 
business in partnership till the death 
of the latter, since which time he has conducted it alone. Mr. Davis was 
assistant postmaster and postmaster for 16 consecutive years in the old 
store. He has always been an active member of the Friends' society of 
Long Plain, succeeding his father as superintendent of the meeting and the 
Bible school. Mr. Davis m. Nov. 22, 1871, Harriet S. dau. of Capt. 
William (Nathaniel. Ebenezer, Ebenezer, John, Increase, Thomas) and. 
Sophia D. Clapp of Rochester. Thomas^ was b. in England 1597; 
came to Dorchester about 1630. Children: (1) Anna E. (2) Harriette M. 
Both b. at Long Plain. 




I'lioln. li.v Jus. E. :i<_'ud, Xi'w I'.ciir^jid 

RICHARD DAVIS, JR. 



285 



JAMES DAVIS 



DAVIS. JAMES^, son of John R.". 
John R.*', Nicholas'\ Nicholas^, Tim- 
othy"^, Johir'. Dolai-^ and Ahhic 
(Leavilfi Davis ( sec clscwhci-c i. was 
1). in AcusliiK't -laii. 11. 18')!. lie 
acqnircd liis ('(lucatioii in tlic i)ul)- 
lic scliools of his native town and 
a [)rivat(' scliodl in Xew Bedford, 
lie then l)eji'an his hnsiness life as 
a bill collector. Afterwards lie 
was eninloycd as bookkeeper 1)\- J. 
.^' W. \i. Winy- of New Bedford 
1il] daniiary. 1S74. when he formed 
a partnership with Kdward ( '. 
Taber, condnct inu' a grocery busi- 
ness at Lnnds ("ornei-. In 1875 he 
sold out to j\Ir. Taber and engaijed 

in the same business alone at Weld Scpiare, New Bedford, until 1891. 
Later he was in the same business in Providence. R. I., and Chelsea, Mass. 
In October, 1893. 'Sir. Davis moved to Clifford, where he carries on the 
grocerv business and has been Postmaster since Dee. 9. 1894. 




riioti.. liy .las. K Kei'd. New Bi'dfoid 

JAMES DAVIS 



286 



DANIEL TUCKER DEVOLL 




DEVOLL, DANIEL TUCKER, son of 
Pardon and Mary (Hathaway) De- 
voU and grandson of Capt. Pardon 
DevoU of Dartmouth was born in 
New Bedford May 8d, 1857. His 
father's ancestors were long promi- 
nent in the whaling industry and his 
mother's were very early settlers of 
Eairhaven, her father, Samuel Hath- 
away, being a soldier in the war of 
1812. Mr. Devoll was graduated 
from the New Bedford High School 
in 1875. took a two years' course un- 
der a private tutor and in 1877 en- 
tered the office of Stetson and Greene 
as a law student. He was graduated 
from Boston University School, of 
Law in 1879, returned to Stetson and 
Greene's office and was admitted to the bar in June, 1880. He began 
active practice in the 'office of his preceptors and in 1882 became an office 
associate of A. Edwin Clark with whom he remained until 1894, since 
which time he has practiced his profession independently. He was a 
member of the City Council of New Bedford for three years. Mr. Devoll 
married, June 20. 1889, Mary F. dau. of Adoniram and Chloe C. D. (Rob- 
inson) Gilmore of Long Plain, After his marriage Mr. Devoll moved 
his residence to that place and has since resided there. He was for six 
years chairman of the School Committee of Acushnet and is interested 
in the welfare of the town he has adopted as his home. He is a 
man of energy, insight and perseverance, and has made a success in his 
profession. 



rimto. I>r .Jas. E. Keeil. N'ew iteilfdid 

DANIEL TUCKER DEVOLL 



287 



LEMUEL DILLINGHAM 



DILLINGHAM, LE:\IUEL, son of Lemuel Diliingham and wife Mary 
(Austin) Hawes (widow of Capt. Shubael Hawes) was b'. on River Road 
in Acuslinet Feb. 25. 1810. At an early age he commenced a whaleman's 
life, continuing in it until near the outbreak of the Civil War, when he 
enlisted in the naval service. Here he served faithfully until honorably 
discharged. Later he made one whaling voyage as 2nd mate and then 
retired to the farm he had already purchased on the east side of the ]\Iill 
road, a few rods north of Ball's corner. Here he enjoyed life for many 
years niitil liis (h^ath. ]\lay 3, 1896. ]\Ir. Dillingham m. Chloe Jane 
Cummings of Fairhaven. He and his wife joined the iNIethodist church 
in Acushnct Villaue manv xeai's ])ef()re his death. 



EDWARD G. DILLINGHAM 



DILLINGHAM, EDWARD G., was 
1). in West Falmouth Oct. !). 1814. 
He in. .hiiic Ki. IS.")!). Xaiicy (daii. 
of Ephraiiii and Mai'\- San ford of 
Falmouth), who was b. Feb. 12. 1814. 
and d. .March 24. 187!). Their chil- 
dren all b. ill West Falmouth Avere 
(1) William S., b. Nov. 1, 1837; (2) 
Charles H., b. May 22, 1840. m. 
Eunice Dexter; (3) Mary S., b. June 
15, 1843, m. George Glasse (see else- 
where) ; (4) Joseph, b. Nov. 1, 1845, 
m. Phebe Burt; (5) Betsey L.. b. 
May 24, 1848, m. Albert Taylor, they 
have son Albert; (6) Esther, b. Oct. 
18, 1851, m. John W. Peirce ; they 
have son Henry D. ]Mr. Dillingham 

was a resident of Acushnet for many 

years, where he owned a farm and also worked at his trade of a carpenter. 
He was a minister in the Society of Friends and very active in religious 
work. He was a typical Friend of the olden time in faith and methods of 
work, garb, speech and manner. He believed all of these to be essen- 
tials to success in the life, Christian influence and usefulness of a Friend. 
He,d. Dec. 20, 1898. 




Photo, by Jas. E. Kefil, New Betlford 
EDWARD G. DILLINGHAM 



288 
DOUGLASS FAMILY 



DOUGLASS, JOHNi, was b. in Scotland about 1695. Pie settled in Mid- 
dleboro where the children of George? and George^ were born. Barnabas 
N.4 Avas b. Nov. 11, 1791. In early life he was engaged in the merchant 
marine service ; later conducted a commission business at Savannah, Ga. 
He retired to his farm in Rochester, where he remained till his death. 
He m. Sept. 19, 1828, Phebe Nye Swift, dan. of Moses and Rebecca (Nye) 
Swift of Pocasset. 1). Apr. 19, 1809. Children: (1) Caroline S. b. Aug. 8, 
1830, (see Emery Cushman.) (2) Phebe Nye, m. Charles H. Damon. (3) 
George, d. young. (4) Moses S. (see elsewhere). (5) George, twin 
brother of Moses S.. b. Mar. 21. 1837, m. Jane M. Mendall. He was 
many years in California. (6) Pamelia C. b. July 1, 1810, (see James R. 
Allen.) (7) James Oscar b. Aug. 12. 1843. (8) Edwin De Forrest b. 
Apr. 17. 1S46, (see elsewhere.) (9) Mary A. 1). Dee. 26, 1847, (see 
Samuel Wing.) (10) Lizzie F. b. Mar. 24, 1850, m. Capt. Geo. F. Bright- 
man, a successful whaleman. (11) Charles A. 



MOSES S. DOUGLASS 



DOUGLASS, MOSES S., son of 
Barnabas Nye Douglass (see else- 
where) was b. in Rochester Mar. 21, 
'1837, and was educated in the public 
schools of that town. • At the age of 
1() he entered the employ of Emery 
Cushman in the packing box manu- 
facturing business, and was with him 
four years in Providence, R. I., and 
one year in this town. The tempta- 
tion to become a sailor could no long- 
er be resisted and he shipped for a 
four-year whaling voyage in 1858 on 
bark Callao. After this he was for 
several years in the merchant marine 
service between New York and 
Havre, and on the San Francisco 
line to Aspinwall with Capt. Charles 
Seabury. He was on the "City of 
New York" which carried troops and army supplies to Savannah for 
Sherman's army at the end of their "March to the Sea." Mr. Douglass 
has resided in Acushnet for many years, He has held various offices, in the 




I'llotc 



liy .Iniiii's E. lici-d. N'fw lUMlCord 

MOSES S. DOUGLASS 



289 

gift of this town. He was road surveyor in 1884 and is now on the board 
of selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor, which offices he has 
held continuously since 1888, twelve years of the time as chairman of 
the board. He represented the 4th Bristol district in the General Court 
of 1893. He became a member of the M. E. church in this village in 1873 
and has been a trustee and steward of that society ever since. Mr. 
Douglass m. 1st Emeline F. dau. of Consider and Emeline Smith of 
Rochester. Children: (1) Edgar E. b. June 4, 1867; (2) Walter Frank- 
lyn (see elsewhere), b. Aug. 22, 1869. Married, 2nd, Sylvia H. dau. 
Squire and Clarissa D. Stevens of Fairhaven. Child : Myron Earl b. Aug. 
7, 1874. Married 3d. Lydia Wallace dau. Capt. William^ (Harvey^, 
Wil]iam'\ Jonathan^ David'. Jonathan^, Andrew^) and wife Julia 
(Phinney) Hallett of Centreville, Mass. 



EDWIN DE FOREST DOUGLASS 



DOUGLASS, EDWIN DeFORESTS, 
son of Barnabas Nye^ (George^. 
George^, John^) Douglass, (see else- 
where) was born in Rochester April 
17. 1846. lie was educated in tlic 
seliools of Rocliestcr, and of tliis 
town, where his father moved his 
family in 1860. and later took a 
course at a business college in Provi- 
dence, R. I. He learned the manu- 
facturing of wooden packing boxes 
of liis l)rother-in-law Emery Cusli- 
iiiaii in this town, with wliitni lie 
remaiiKMl till 18()7. Avhen he went to 
Philadelphia where he established 
himself in the same business. By 
industry and good business ability 
Mr. Douglass is now operating one 

of the largest and most successful plants of the character in that city, 
where he is held in high esteem in the business community. Mr. Douglass 
m. first, Louise C. dan. of John R. Davis (see elsewhere) in 1870. Chil- 
dren : (1) Edwin Allen b. Dec. 20, 1874, in this town. (2) Louise Estelle, 
b. in Philadelphia in 1881 d. 1882. Edwin A. is with his father in busi- 
ness. :\rrs. Douglass d. in 1885. In 1887 Mr. Douglass m. Rebecca 
Rhoades Ruedi. dau. of Dr. George W. and Susan Ruedi, b. in Reading, 
Pa., in 1864. 




EDWIN DeFOREST DOUGLASS 



290 



WALTER FRANKLYN DOUGLASS 



DOUGLASS, WALTER FRANK- 
LYN, son of Moses S. and Emeline 
(Smith) Douglass (see elsewhere} 
Avas 1). in Acnshnet Aug. 22, 1869. 
lie received his education at the 
Acushnet public schools and at 
Tabor Academy in ^Lirion. After 
leaving school he learned a mason's 
trade, l)ul later gave ui) that busi- 
ness and went into the store of 
A. G. Alley in New Bedford, where 
he remained as clerk for eleven 
years. Upon the decease of the 
])Ostmaster at Acushnet ]Mr. Doug- 
lass was appointed to that position 
July 1. 1904. and has continued in 
it to the present time. He also car- 
ries on the grocery business in the 
building where the post office is located. He m. in 1893 Cora B., dan. of 
George W. and Hannah E. (Oman) Bennett of New Bedford. Ch : (1) 
Mildred Smith; (2) Walter Elwood; (3) Irene Bennett; (4) Marion 
McKinley; (5) Helen Oman. Mr. Douglass is a member of Pacific Lodge 
of Odd Fellows, a charter member of Acushnet Colony of Pilgrim Fathers, 
and also a member of the Provision Clerks' Benefit Association. 




I'lioto. by Jas. E. Keeci, New Bedford 

WALTER FRANKLYN DOUGLASS 



291 



CAPT. MARTIN L. ELDRIDGE 




CAPT. MARTIN L. EDLRIDGE 



ELDRIDGE, MARTIN L., son of 
Isaac and Abigail (Snow) Eldridge, 
was b. in Sandwich Aug. 25, 1827. 
Isaac was a lineal descendant of 
Robert Eldred, one of the first set- 
tlers of Harwich, and Abigail dan. 
of Mark Snow who m. a dau. of 
Stephen Hopkins of the ^layflower. 
He was educated in the schools 
of Sandwich and at AYesh^xan 
Academy, Wilbraham. lie came to 
Acushnet to live in 1851. i-csiding 
on the Long Plain road opposite the 
site of the Vincent tavern, later Wil- 
liam Brownell's place. He served the 
town in various capacities, including 
school committee, selectman and 
overseer of the poor, and as repre- 
sentative in the legislature in 1858-9. This town would have the name 
of North Fairhaven but for the efforts of ('apt. Eldridge, who insisted 
that it shouhl bear the ap[)i-oi)riate name it now has — Acushnet. In August, 
1860, he became connected with the schoolship Massachusetts, which he 
afterward commanded, and was stationed in New Bedford harbor from 
1865 to 1870, having served as coast-guard during the war. In 1872 Capt. 
Eldridge went to have care of the New York House of Refuge, and in July, 
1876, took charge of the Providence Reform School, retiring in 1881. From 
1885to 1903 hehad charge of the Truant School andCityHome of Cambridge. 
He passed the latter years of his life in well earned retirement at his home 
in Fairhaven, where he died Oct. 3, 1905. Capt. Eldridge was of a genial 
nature; well informed; a good disciplinarian; succeeded in all his work, 
and was highly esteemed by all with whom he came in contact. He m. 
Mar. 11, 1851, Harmony Packard Bradford, of Fairhaven (see Bradford 
family). Children, all b. in this town: (1) Abbie Allen, b. Jan. 3, 1852, 
m. Lawrence S. Smith, M. D., and had Helen C. and Charles K. (2) Sarah 
Packard b. Sept. 8, 1853, m. Charles S. Knowles. (3) Jane Bradford, b. 
Aug 11, 1856, m. George F. Taylor, 



292 



GEORGE S. FOX 




FOX, GEORGE S., son of Rev. Sam- 
uel Fox and wife Mary. dan. of Capt. 
Samuel Howis of Dennis, Mass., was 
b. July 12, 1846, in Quincy, Mass. 
In 1862 Rev. Samuel Fox was pastor 
in charge of the Acushnet M. E. 
church and in August of that year 
George S. enlisted in Co. K, 4th 
Mass. Vol. Infantry, and accom- 
panied the forces of General Banks 
to Louisiana. His company was as- 
signed to carry the hand grenades 
in advance of the assaulting line at 
Port Hudson, where young Fox was 
severely wounded in his right hand 
and received injuries to back and 
head. He was honorably discharged 
Sept. 1863. He at once became 
a clerk in the office of the Evening 
Standard of New Bedford and with 
the exception of a few years when he was in the West was connected 
with the Standard until his death, March 11. 1906. For a number of years 
he was its efficient advertising manager, conducting the department with 
remarkable ability and success. In 1894 he became one of the proprietors 
of The Morning Mercury, and Avas treasurer of the corporation. Mr. Fox 
was one of the early members of Post 1 of the Grand Army of the Republic 
and later a charter member of Post 190. holding the office of adjutant in 
both organizations. He was a member at different times of the County 
Street M. E. church of New Bedford and the Acushnet M. E. church and 
was a steward and trustee in each. The last years of his life he greatly 
enjoyed the attractive home he made at Acushnet on the east side of 
Long Plain road. One who was closely associated in business wrote of 
him: "For his devotion to his duty, for his cheery helpfulness, for the 
example of his brave and patient fortitude, for his manly spirit, we hail 
him as one of life's conquerors, even while we say farewell." Mr. Fox 
m. in 1867, Mary Elizabeth, dau. of Asa Sherman of New Bedford. 



Photo, by Jas. E. Reed, New Bedford 

GEORGE S. FOX 



293 



GEORGE A. FULLER 



FULLER, GEORGE A., son of An- 
drew J. and Fidelia (Butterfield) 
Fuller, and a direct descendant ot" 
Samuel Fuller of the Mayflower, Avas 
b. at Pittsfield, Mass., Sept. 16, 1859. 
Mr. Fuller came to Acushnet in 1875 
and in 1882 begnn .iohhino- produce 
in New Bedford, received there by 
railroad. In 1885 he T)urchased the 
"George Taber place," so called, 
on the east side of Long Plain road, 
one-fourth of a mile south of Perr^- 
Hill road. It was a run down farm 
witli a one stoi-y house upon it. 
Mr. Fuller later put a story under 
the house, built a large barn, 
rejuvenated everything and made 
more than two spears of grass grow 
where one had grown on ''Elm Hill 

farm." He has since constructed four houses in the neighborhood, and 
by his energy and thrift has greatl}^ improved the appearance of his 
surroundings. He was elected road commissioner of the town in 1890 and 
held the position four years. Mr. Fuller m. July 18, 1880, Cora Belle, dau. 
of William S. and Sarah J. (Burnham) Hall of Acushnet. Sarah J. 
Burnham was a descendant of one of the Mayflower Burnhams. Mr. and 
Mrs. Fuller are members of the church at Perry Hill and of the South 
Bristol Farmers' club. 




Photo, by Jas. E. Reed, New Bedford 

GEORGE A. FULLER 



294 



ABIEL PIERCE ROBINSON GILMORE 



GILMORE, ABIEL PIERCE ROB- 
INSON, son of Adoniram and Chloe 
C. D. (Robinson) Gilmore, (see 
elsewhere) was b. Nov. 28, 1858, on 
the "Colonel Robinson Farm" at 
Long Plain. He acquired an educa- 
tion in the public schools of Acu'sh- 
net and at the Friends' academy in 
New Bedford. Having a love for 
agriculture Mr. Gilmore chose that 
for an occupation and decided to till 
the fertile acres his grandfather Col. 
Robinson had cultivated before, for 
an occupation. Into this he has put 
energy and brain and has made a 
success of the business. A few 
years since he added a wind water 
photo.Tby jas. E. Keed. Xt« Bedford power aud a grcenhousc to the prem- 

ABiEL PIERCE ROBINSON GILMORE jges which Contribute to the interest 

and profits in the plant. He built a 
dwelling house on the south part of the farm in 1897, a cut of which, 
made at the time, is given elsewhere, in which he has since resided. 

Mr. Gilmore m., Oct. 13, 1892, Ruth Emma, dau. of Benjamin 
Anthony, of New Bedford. Mr. Anthony was of E. Anthony & Sons, 
publishers of the New Bedford Standard, established by his father Ed- 
mund Anthony. Children: (1) Benjamin Anthony b. Aug. 22, 1895; (2) 
Caroline Robinson b. Jan. 11, 1897 ; (3) Daniel Robinson b. Mar. 6, 1901. 
Mr. Gilmore is a charter member of the South Bristol Farmers' club, 
serving as its secretary for several years, and is also a member of the 
North Rochester Grange. 




GEORGE F. GLASSE 



GLASSE, GEORGE F., son of Seth W. and Mary F. (Leach) Glasse, was 
b. in Boston Dec. 29, 1842. He became a resident of Acushnet in 1855 
and was in the employ of William H. Washburn, grocer at Parting Ways, 
from July, 1860, till August, 1862, when he enlisted in the navy of the 
Civil war, serving on the Ilendrick Hudson, most of the time in the Gulf 
of Mexico, where he was injured in the knee while in line of duty, neces- 
sitating his discharge for disability in September, 1863. He again 
entered the employ of Mr. Washburn and later that of his successor, 



295 

Capt. Wilber Kelley, till 1866, when he leased the farm of Edward G. 
Dillingham on Wing lane, remaining there till 1873. He served the 
town as Clerk, Treasurer and Collector, School Committee, etc. After 
1873 he moved to Providence, R. I., and entered the employ of the Allen 
Print Works, serving this company and its successor, the Allen Printing 
Co., as clerk and paymaster ever since. Mr. Glasse is associated with, 
and ]Mrs. Glasse is a birthright member of the Society of Friends. 
He m. Mar. 8, 1866, Mary S., dau. of Edward G. and Nancy B. (San- 
ford) Dillingham (see elsewhere). They have one child, Edward F. 
Glasse, b. in Acushnet July 22, 1867 ; m. June 30, 1891, Bessie M., dau. 
of John N. and Marietta Wake of Providence, R. I., where Edward F. 
now resides. His business is traveling wholesale grocery salesman. 



WILLIAM A. GURNEY 



GURNEY, WILLIAM A., son of 
Jonathan Reed and wife, Lucy Pres- 
ton (Chace) Gurney was b. in East 
Freetown, Mass. His g. father was 
Jonathan Reed Gurney and his g. g. 
father Asa Gurnev, who witli two of 
his brothers came to this country 
from England and settled in South 
Abington, now Whitman. For a 
number of years Mr. (iurney was in 
the grocery business and Assistant 
Postmaster in p]ast Freetown. In 
1889 he moved to New Bedford and 



was there engaged in the 



gram 




Phot... In- Jaiiifs E. Heed, Xfw Bedt'oid 

WILLIAM A. GURNEY 



and grocery business. Later he 
moved to Acushnet, and for several 
years engaged in farming. In 1901 
*■ the first Rural Free Delivery in 
Acushnet was established, and Mr. 
Gurney received the appointment of 

letter carrier, which position he has acceptably filled to the present time. 
He m. Sept. 3, 1885, Sarah Emogene, dau. of Horatio Alden and Sarah 
(Seabury) Braley of East Freetown. Children: (1) Clarence M., b. July 
12, 1886; (2) Harold L., b. July 23, 1887, d. March 19, 1888; (3) Preston 
S., b. Jan. 16, 1889; (4) Warren C, b. Dec. 6, 1891; (5) Ruth W., b. April 
18, 1893 ; (6) Arabella A., b. Feb. 21, 1897, d. Aug. 14, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gurney have been for a number of years members of the Methodist church 
at Acushnet Village, and very efficient helpers in all its departments of 
work. 



296 



SAMUEL BAKER HAMLIN 




HAMLIN, SAMUEL BAKER, son of 
Isaac (Eleazer, Benjamin, Eleazer, 
James) and wife Mary (Bolton) 
Hamlin, was b. in Livermore, Me., 
Mar. 4, 1812. He came from Maine 
to New Bedford when a young man 
looking for an opening to earn a live- 
lihood in Massachusetts. When he 
reached here his assets were his 
clothes and less than a dollar cash 
but a capital of energy and pluck 
which never forsook, him. A little 
later, at the age of 28, he went into 
the business of buying cattle in 
Maine and selling them in this sec- 
tion. Three years later he went into 
the native lumber business, making a 
specialty of supplying the shipyards 
of New Bedford and elsewhere in this section with locust and oak for 
knees and trunnels of whaleships. He owned much woodland and the 
saw mill on White's Factory road. Mr. Hamlin was active in town 
affairs ; served as Special County Commissioner ; and was a member and 
official in the IMethodist church at Aeushnet Village. He m., January 2, 
1842, Sarah Ann, dau. of Seth Bradford (see Bradford family.) 

Children: (1) James Bradford b. Oct. 15, 1852, in Aeushnet, who has 
continued in the lumber business since the death of his father and is 
now a resident of this town. He m., Jan. 2, 1878, Caroline C. dau. of 
Abel and Deborah F. (Ruggles) Howe; (2) Sarah who died at Dover, N. H. 
A singular coincidence is that Samuel B. d. on the 76th anniversary 
of his birth, Mar. 4, 1888. His wife, a most estimable woman, an active, 
useful member of the Methodist Church above mentioned, died in the 
house in this village where she and her husband had lived many years, 
and where the son James Bradford now resides. 



SAMUEL BAKER HAMLIN 



29? 



STEPHEN KEMPTON HATHAWAY 




HATHAWAY, STEPHEN KEMP- 
TON, son of Thomas (Micah) 
and Lydia (Kempton) Hathaway, 
was b. in Acushnet May 12, 1814. 
Mr. Hathaway was apprenticed at 
an early age to Ebenezer Tripp, 
cooper, foot of Harding street, 
Fairhaven. When but 17 years 
old he shipped on a whaler and 
closely followed this occupation for 
20 years, sailing on the Charles Drew. 
Finders and Albion. In the latter 
he made two successful voyages as 
master, at the conclusion of which he 
gave up sea services on account of 
ill health. Then he purchased the 
part of the Micah Hathaway farm ly- 
ing on the east side of Fairhaven 
road and built the house now standing there, opposite the old Micah 
Hathaway house. Here he lived and engaged in farming until he d. Apr. 

17, 1894. Capt. Hathaway was a man of strict integrity, industrious and 
thrifty. He and his wife joined the Fairhaven M. E. Church in early 
life, and later the Acushnet :\I. E. Church retaining membership there 
till their decease. Capt. Hathaway m. Jerusha Kendrick who d. June 

18, 1884. They had 2 sons and 4 dans., only one of whom, Cora E. (see 
elsewhere), is now living. A son, Lewin W., a machinist, owned and 
occupied that part of the Royal Hathaway farm lying on the east side of 
Fairhaven road between his father's farm and the town line, formerly the 
house of Capt. Stephen Kempton. The house stands on the spot occupied 
by "Susanna Hathaway 's orchard," an old time landmark. Susanna was 
widow of Royal Hathaway. 



I'lioto. by .Jas. K. Reed, New Bedtoid 

STEPHEN KEMPTON HATHAWAY 



298 



CAPT. JOHN HA WES 



HAWES, JOHN, was born in Acushnet Feb. 13, 1768. He was the yoiing-- 
est son of Shubael Hawes, who was born in Dartmonth in 1737. His 
mother, daughter of Robert Wrightington, died in 1779 and his father in 
1781, so at the age of thirteen John was an orphan, the youngest of a 
family of five chikiren. He was put in the care of an uncle who soon after 
emigrated to Saratoga Springs, N. Y., then a wilderness and looked upon 




CAPTAIN JOHN HAWES 
From a painting 

as the far west. For some reason his life there appears to have been very 
distasteful to him and, after two years, one night in mid-winter he left 
his uncl&'s home and worked his way back to Acushnet. His father. hav- 
ing been a ship builder, the boy's love for ships drew him to the sea and 
at the age of 19 he was master and part owner of a small vessel. 
Although he had enjoyed no educational advantages from schools he had 
a real desire for knowledge and lost no opportunity for improving- 



299 

his mind by every means within his reach. That he succeeded in 
this effort is proved by hundreds of his letters and papers recently 
recovered more than eighty years after he had passed on to the 
country where all aspirations are more than realized. He soon 
became a valued captain in the merchant service of New Bedford 
and New York, serving faithfully the Grinnells, Fishs, Hazards, 
Posts, ^linturns and Russells. About 1805 he seems to have given 
up liis seafaring life and engaged in many business enterprises 
including shi}) building and salt works. He was appointed Justice 
of the Peace and held the ofHce for many years. As "Squire Hawes" he 
became the trusted friend and advisor of the whole community and his 
carefully kept papers .show ])atient. faithful discharge of his duties. An 
old friend .said of liiiii. "lb' was a good Samaritan; everyone came to 
him for evci-ything and he never passed by on the other side." He had 
a quiet dignity of nunnu-r that never failed him. On Capt. Hawes' 
return from a voyage al)out 1805 or '06 he found that the property of 
his neighbors, an aged and jioor couple, members of the Precinct church, 
had been seized aiul sold by the church officers for payment of their 
church tithes according to the law of that tinu'. He at once came to 
their relief, bought and restored their property and severed his con- 
nection with that society. He now turned to the IMethodist faith and 
never wavered in his allegiance to it. in 1812 he was chosen as Repre- 
sentative to the State Legislature and gave to the demands of this honor- 
able position the same unswerving devotion to duty. Not long after, 
his name was proposed for appointment as Collector of the Port of New 
Bedford at that time one of the most important in the United States. 
Capt. Hawes was defeated by his political oi)ponent, but in 1813 the citi- 
zens of the city petitioned the U. S. government to remove one who had 
been disloyal to its interests and appoint John Hawes. In those first 
years of the war privateering and smuggling gave wide opportunity for 
taking disloyal advantage of the government. Capt. Hawes unflinchingly 
denounced all such action and, as a Justice, issued warrants against the 
offenders whose enmity pursued him through the remainder of his days. 
He entered the Custom House under these trying conditions and steadily 
and inflexibly enforced the laws and restored order. Soon after his ap- 
pointment he removed his family to New Bedford to the house of his 
friend Thomas Hazard, but his political enemies were so "harassing 
to a man of peace" as he himself expressed it, he returned to Acushnet 
in 1817 and built the house now standing owned and occupied by the 



300 



heirs of George T. Russell. His letters show that for a long time a sense 
of duty led him to spend a regular portion of the week in New Bedford, 
but this home became his haven, the comfort of his last years and shared 
with his church his love and care. 

Capt. Hawes married first, in 1792, Mercy Taber of New Bedford, 
who died 1803. 

He married second, 1804, Mary^^Tallman Willis, widow of William 
Willis. 

Capt. Hawes gave to the Methodist society in Acushnet village the 
land where the church stands and a clause in the deed specifies that if 
it is ever diverted from such use it, shall revert to his legal heirs. He d. 
in Acushnet Dec. 29. 1824. at the ase of fiftv-six. 



CAPTAIN JONATHAN CAPEN HAWES 



PIAWES, CAPTAIN JONATHAN 
CAPEN, son of Levi and his second 
wife Azubah Capen, was b. at the 
Hawes homestead, Tarkiln road. New 
Bedford, Mass., May 8, 1826. He 
attended the public schools winters 
till he was fourteen years old when 
he left home to learn to be a sail- 
maker. He soon reached a fork in 
the road of his career in his decision 
to return to his home and school. 
Two years later at the age of sixteen 
his desire for a whaleman's life pre- 
vailed and he went around the world 
in the whaleship Roman as foremast 
hand in about two years. His sec- 
ond voyage was as boatsteerer, 
thirty months ; third voyage as third 
mate, fifty-two months; fourth voyage as mate when the ship was lost. 
In 1854 at the age of twenty-eight he made his first voyage as master, 
in the Eliza Adams. The subsequent voyages of Capt. Hawes were made 
in the Emma C. Jones and the Milo. During the latter voyage his vessel 




CAPT. JONATHAN CAPEN HAWES 



301 

was captured by the Confederate cruiser Shenandoah. Capt Hawes gave 
bonds to Capt. Waddell to the amount of $46,000 and was allowed to 
proceed to San Francisco. He discontinued blubber hunting in 1869. 
Since then he has been engaged in the lumber business formerly in com- 
pany with his brother Simeon and N. Hervey Wilber and now as presi 
dent of the Acushnet Saw i\Iill Co. whose plant is described on another 
page. Captain Hawes was in the City Council of New Bedford in 1874 
and a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1876. lie has always mani- 
fested an active interest in civil affairs and in the welfare of his home 
surroundings, and has enjoyed the esteem of his social and business as- 
sociates. Capt. Hawes m. 1st Jerusha Blake of Stoughton, IMass., June 
19, 1852. Children, (1) Ada R. m. John Leonard; (2) Frederic B. Mrs. 
Hawes died on the north Pacific ocean Aug. 8, 1868; she was buried in 
Acushnet. Capt. Hawes m. 2nd. Nov. 20, 1869, Sylvia R., widow of John 
W. Leonard and dau. of James aiul Phebe Tucker of Dartmouth; had 
one child. Alice. Capt. Hawes m. ;jd. Apr. 10. 1877. ]Mary. widow of 
Albert Collins and dau. of Noah and Hannah Davis of Fall River; ch. 
(1) Jonathan C, Jr. (deceased); (2) .Mary A.; (3) Grace W. 



THOMAS HERSOM 



HEHSOM. THOMAS, son of John 
Hersom and wife Acciiitli. dau. of 
John Sliorcy, was 1). in lichauou. .Mc., 
Aug. 17. 1836. In liis boyhood he 
attend('(l the puMic schools and 
worked on a t'afui and in cotton 
mills. Such employment diil not 
satisfy him. He finall\- hecaine fore- 
man in a stable in Randolpii, ^Inss., 
and later di-ove stage from Randolph 
to .Miilon till he came lo Xew Bed- 
r(»rd and i)oH,i:h1 of .M. II. True the 
onuiihus line tVoiii thai cit\' to tliis 
town and suhsecjutMitly extended 
this line to Long Plain and Rochester 
Centre. After this successful busi- 
ness venture Mr. Hersom sold out to 




THOMAS HERSOM 



302 

Andrew E. Hathaway, and at once bought the soap manufacturing plant 
of Otis Sisson at New Bedford and engaged in the business as T. Hersom 
& Co., M'ith Nathan L. Bryant as partner. He continued here till he 
sold and engaged in the same business on Fish Island in the same 
city. In 1890 he moved his business into the building which he has 
since owned and occupied, formerly the Acushnet Paper Mill, on 
the west side of Acushnet avenue, a few rods north of Lund's corner. 
Mr. Hersom is a member of the Acushnet Lodge of Odd Fellows, and 
Eureka Lodge of Masons, holding membership in the chapter, council 
and commandery. He is also a member of the Ancient and Honorable 
Artillery company of Boston. Mr. Hersom 's business success is the result 
of capability, industry and thrift. In 1885 he bought the attractive place 
in Acushnet village where he has since resided. He m. first in 1862 
Almeda T. dau. of Nathan and Mary (Gardner) Bryant. Ch. : (1) Annie 
M. m. Joshua B. Ashley, Jr., of New Bedford; (2) Clara A. m. Arthui 
Weeks of New Bedford; (3) Thomas, Jr., (see elsewhere). Mr. Hersom 
m. second, Oct. 21, 1905, Mrs. Martha Kent, who d. March, 1906. 



THOMAS HERSOM, JR. 



HERSOM, THOMAS, JR.. son of Thomas (above) and Almeda T. 
(Bryant) Hersom, was b. in Acushnet Jan. 10, 1870. He was educated in 
the public schools of New Bedford, where his father's family lived from 
1876 to 1885. After finishing his school life he went into business with his 
father and for eighteen years has been travelling salesman for that firm. 
In 1897 he was elected on the School Committee of Acushnet and served 
three years. He belongs to the order of Masons and is a Knight Templar. 
Mr, Hersom m, Millie (see elsewhere) dau. of Capt. James R. Allen. They 
have two children : Allen Humphrey, b. July 7, 1901, and Katharine, b. 
Feb, 15, 1907, both born in Acushnet. 



303 

ROWLAND FAMILY 

The Rowland families mentioned below are from Henry^, brother of 
John of the Mayflower. Henryi and his brother Arthur^ were at Ply- 
mouth as early as 1624 and soon after became firm adherents of the 
principles of the Quaker sect. ]Most of their descendants for many genera- 
tions have been members of the Friends' society and those who were not 
themselves members could name Quaker ancestry. No religious denom- 
ination has had more Rowland members than the Friends. Because of 
the fearful persecution of the Quakers as soon as Dartmouth offered a 
peaceful abiding place Henry's son Zoeth shook from his feet the dust of 
Plymouth and. with his family and perhaps his father's family as well, 
settled in Dartmouth in the ncigliborhood of Apponegansett village. 
Hunter an eminent English writer says: "The Pilgrims, too, came of an 
excellent stock. The souiuh'st if ikiI tfie n()l)]est blocid flowed in their 
veins." None look ;i more active, conscientious i)ai't in the early civil 
and religious lil'e of oui' countrx' than Ai-thur, Henry and John Rowland. 
Tiieir posterity has l)een huge and many of them have been found in 
M'hat is now New Bedford. Dartmouth. Westport, Fairhaven and Acush- 
net. This locality lias been called the "Mecca of the Rowlands." In 
1884 there were ninety-six llowland names in the New Bedford city 
directory. In the extensive knowledge of the llowland race gained by 
the research necessary in writing their genc.dogy the writer has been 
gratified to note the freiMlom of their characters from crime and moral 
degradation. They seem to have been as a i)eople; thrifty, economical 
and good managers of finance. They are found in the governor's chair, 
on the judge's bench, in the Fnited States Senate, and well represented 
elsewhere in the higlu'r walks in life. With very few exceptions all the 
Rowlands born in Bristol county since lt)62 are the descendants of Henry 
(see Franklyn Rowland's Genealogy of the Rowlands of America). 



MATHEW ROWLAND 



ROWLAND, MATREW,son of (Thomas, James, Nathaniel, Zoeth, Henry,) 
and wife Ruth, dau. of Joseph (Mathew, Stephen, John) and Catherine 
Wing of Dartmouth, was born in Westport in 1751. Re settled early in 
life at Long Plain in a house standing in front of what has since been 
known as the "Leach house" situated on the north side of Quaker Lane. 
Re was a carpenter and builder and had a small farm which he worked. 
Re had a shop near his house in which he made candle boxes, employing 
several hands in the busy season. Re was an industrious, honorable citi- 



304 

zen, and for many years was an active member of the Friends' Meeting 
near his home. 

Mr. Howland married in 1774 Abigail Wing. Of their nine children 
born at Long Plain, Mathew was killed by a fall from the fore yard of 
the ship ''George & Susan," belonging to his brother George, while in 
the act of reefing sail in a gale of wind. 



GEORGE HOWLAND 



HOWLAND, GEORGE, son of Mathew (see above) born July 11, 1781. 
He spent his boyhood days at his father's farm which contributed largely 
to the strong, healthy physique which he always possessed. The farm 
did not satisfy his ambition, however, and at the age of 16 he entered 
the office of William Rotch, Jr., who was a large shipping agent at New 
Bedford. Here he acquired a thorough knowledge of this business which 
he successfully conducted throughout the balance of his life. He soon 
gained the respect and confidence of ship owners and left Mr. Rotch 's 
employ to become his prosperous rival in the business which was largely 
that of whale fishery. His accumulations after a generous life amounted to 
nearly one million dollars. His name was well known in every whaling port 
in the world. He shipped in the George & Susan, named for himself and 
wife, sailed a great many voyages from New Bedford and was in active 
service in 1835. He was a prominent member of the Society of Friends, 
holding for several years previous to his death the position of elder. His 
name is often found in the town meeting records. At the age of 35 he 
was president of the Bedford Commercial bank and held the position until 
his death, a period of nearly 35 years. He was a great friend of, and 
a liberal contributor to, the cause of education, especially for young 
ladies. He was a man of strong convictions, having a perfect abhorrence 
of duplicity or deception and was always ready to aid by counsel or in 
a more material way those who were striving conscientiously to help 
themselves. Among the benefactions provided for in his will was a be- 
quest of $50,000 to establish a school for young women at Union Springs, 
N. Y.; $15,000 to the Friends' School, Haverford, Pa.; and $5,000 for a 
school in North Carolina. Mr. Howland m. 1st, Elizabeth, dan. of John 
and Reliance (Shepherd) Howland, and 2nd, Susannah, dan. of Cornelius 
and Rhoda (Wing) Howland. Among the three children of Elizabeth 
was George, Jr., a well known business man, city official and philanthro- 
pist of New Bedford, of which city he was several times the mayor. One of 
the 14 children of Susannah was Mathew, of New Bedford, prominent 
in business, civil and church matters. 



305 



CORNELIUS ROWLAND 



ROWLAND, CORNELIUS, son of 
Mathew (see above) was born March 
11, 1784, at Long- Plain. He was a 
prominent and snccessfiil whaleman. 
While the embargo was on in 1812 he 
remained at his home at Long Plain. 
It is said that when the report 
reached him that the embargo was 
off he was working his mother's 
loom. He was so delighted with the 
news that he flnng- the shnttle to the 
floor and started at once to arrange 
for another voyage. He gained qnite 
a competency in his chosen occupa- 
tion and settled in Long Plain Vil- 
lage where he built a hons(^ on the 
east side of the road just soulli of the Rochester road, afterwards owned 
and occupied 1)\ his s(ui. ('ai)t. Alexander ITowland. He m. Feb. 7, 1808, 
Deborah, daughter of Stephen Kempton, who lived on the Fairhaven road. 
Acushnet. Thev liad two children, Caroline and Alexander. 




CORNELIUS HOW^LAND 



WING HOWLAND 



HOWLAND, WING, son of Mathew (see above) was b. Sept. 23, 1788, 
at Acnshnet. He m. 1st. Nov. 28. 1810, Eliza, daughter of Paul (Joseph, 
Jasiuil). Daniel. John) and Deborah Clifton Wing of Acushnet. He lived 
and died in the Bradford-Braley place, so-called, on Quaker Lane, and 
was, l)uried in the Friends' grounds near there. They had a son, Joseph 
Wing, wlio niai-ried Abbey Kelley. Joseph was a farmer and lived in 
Acushnet. 



306 



CAPT. ALEXANDER ROWLAND 




ROWLAND, ALEXANDER, only son 
of Cornelius and Deborah (Kenipton) 
Howland (see above) was b. in New 
Bedford, April 24, 1811. When he 
was but three years of age his 
])arents moved to Long Plain where 
lie ever after made his home. He 
was educated in the public schools 
of the town and the Friends' School 
of Providence. R. I. After his school 
days he beamed a cooper's trade and 
ill 1820 began his sea life by sailing 
as cooper on the ship George and Su- 
san, owned liy liis uncle George How- 
land. He continued on this ship dur- 
ing th(^ sixteen years of his sea-faring 
life holding the positions of second 
mate, first mate and captain. He 
At the age of thirty-four Capt. How- 
land retired from the sea and purchased the homestead at Long Plain in 
1845 where he lived to the time of his decease. Here he carried on the 
grocery business for fifteen years, from 1860 to 1876. He was interested 
in the Avelfare of the town and active in the effort to secure the setting 
apart of Acushnet from Fairhaven. He also served the town as school 
committee. Capt. Howland m., Sept. 15, 1833, Jane S. dan. of Hon. 
Nicholas and Ruth (Spooner) Davis of Long Plain. They had Ch. (1) 
Cornelius A. (see elsewhere) ; (2) Alden S. D. d. in California Nov. 6. 
1896, aged 54; (3) William W. who for over thirty years has made his 
home in California and (4) Jane E. who m., Oct. 13, 1884, Rev. John S. 
Bell, a minister in the New England Southern conference, who preached 
at Long Plain in 1883 and 1884. Mrs. Bell now owns the old homestead 
and she and her husband both feel a deep interest in the welfare of her 
native town. Capt. Howland d. May 5. 1884. Both he and his wife were 
life long members of the Society of Friends, 



CAPT. ALEXANDER HOWLAND 



made long and successful vovages. 



307 



CORNELIUS A. HOWLAND 




CORNELIUS A. HOWLAND 



HOWLAND, CORNELIUS A., son 
of Capt. Alexander and Jane S. 
(Davis) Howland abjove, was b. in 
Acushnet (Long Plain) March 8, 
1838, in the house noAv occupied by 
Richard Davis, Jr. He was edu- 
cated in the schools of his native 
town and then learned the trade of 
a blacksmith. In 1863 Mr. Howland 
went west and carried on his trade 
in Gold Hill. Silver City and Vir- 
ginia, Nevada. Later he returned 
and settled at Long Plain. He m. 
Jan. 19, 1871, Alice Ricketson, dau. 
of Gideon'^ and Susan (Gardner) 
Wilbur. The Wilbur line of descent 
is as follows: Samuel^, spoken of 
in records of Boston as early as 
1633, (see Wilbur Family), William^and wife Martha 
their fifth son, SamueP and wife Mary (Potter) had eleven ch. ; their 
second son. Dr. William^ and wife Esther (Burgess) had twelve ch. ; 
their eldest son. Dr. Thomas^ and wife Mary (Hoxsie) had five ch. ; their 
third son, Isaac^ and wife Susannah (Wilcox) had nine ch. ; their third 
son, Gideon^ was b. in Hopkinton, R. I., April 6, 1803, d. March 3, 1873. 
Susan Gardner was dau. of Joshua and Dorcas (Cross) Gardner, b. in 
Stonington, Conn.. April 2, 1807, d. June 13, 1885. They had seven chil- 
dren : Alice R. was b. in Acushnet Aug. 23, 1843. For many years Mr. 
Howland carried on the blacksmith business in Long Plain, where he 
bought of Ansel White, the house (built by Abraham Davis) which he 
occupied to the time of his death, and where his family still reside. He 
was a man of genial disposition, greatly interested in the welfare of his 
home, a kind neighbor and highly esteemed. He was a member of the 
Society of Friends. Ch : (1) Louise Bennett ; (2) Alice Wilbur; (3) Susan 
Gardner ; (4) Jane Davis. They were educated in the schools of Long 
Plain and the Friends' Boarding School in Providence, R. I. Mr. 
Howland d. Feb. 20, 1902. 



had ten ch., 



308 



FRANKLYN ROWLAND 



HOWLAND, FRANKLYN9, son of Stephen Russell and Lney (Wash- 
bnrn) Howland. was born in Little Compton, R. I., June 27, 1843. The 
line of descent on the paternal side is Stephen RnsselF, William'^. Thomas^, 
Thomas^, James^, NathanieP, Zoeth^, Henry i. His g. father William' m. 
Innocent, dan. of William Wilbor, who was b. in England in 1580 and 
whose son Samuel was one of the original proprietors of Rhode Island. 
His mother Lucy Avas dan. of Rev. Israel Washburn (see elsewhere). 
Very soon after his birth liis parents moved to Westport, Mass., where 
they owned and occupied a large farm which is still in possession of some 
of the family. Here he spent his childhood and worked npon the farm 
with very limited opjiortunity for school education. He was in school 
but twelve months after his fourteenth birthday and that year was spent 
at East Greenwich A en demy. At sixteen years of age he entered the 
employ of an importing house in New York city and continued there until 
the outbreak of the war in 1861. On his way home from business April 
19, 1861, he heard of the firing npon the Massachusetts troops in the 
streets of Baltimore. He enrolled himself that evening (being hardly 
eighteen years of age) as a private in the 14th N. Y. S. M. of Brooklyn, 
where he resided. The regiment was soon ordered to the front,- passed 
through Baltimore and was first quartered at Washington in the Senate 
chamber of the Capitol. He served in the 14th and other New York 
regiments until 1864, when in consequence of total disability he was 
obliged to resign. He was in the first battle of Bull Run, served in the 
Armj^ of the Potomac and in the Department of the South, where he was 
assistant Provost Marshal. Nearly a year continuously in the Confeder- 
ate prisons of Libby at Richmond, Va.; Salisbury, North Carolina, and 
New Orleans, so undermined his health that a severe illness ensued, 
resulting in a partial paralysis of the spine, which rendered him more or 
less helpless the remainder of his life. In spite of this great handicap 
he bravely surmounted difficulties and led an unusually active life. He 
was a U. S. pension attorney, justice of the peace, and probate attor- 
ney for nearly thirty years. He wrote and published an historical 
sketch of Seaconet (Little Compton), R. I.; The Genealogy of the How- 
lands of America, octavo 464 ])ages; a Centennial Souvenir of the Dart- 
mouth, Mass., Monthly Meeting, illustrated; and had in preparation and 



309 

nearly completed at the time of his death a Centennial history of the 
Aenshnet M. E. Church and the History of Acushnet. He also did a great 
amount of other literary work, writing for papers and magazines and 
being for more than a quarter century Agricultural Editor of the New 
Bedford Standard. In the Fail of 1887 he was elected to the Mass. 
Senate from the third Bristol district, where he served on the Com- 
mittee on Engrossed Bills, and Chairman of the Committees on Woman's 
Suffrage and Agriculture. Captain Howland was greatly interested in 
educational and religious work. He was for a number of years chairman 
of the school board of Westport and served as Superintendent in Sunday 
Schools of Little Compton, K. I., Westport, and New Bedford. He was 
president for a time of the New Bedford Sunday School Association and 
for a quarter century of the Acushnet Sunday School Association, which 
position he held at the time of his death. For many years he was a 
member and official of the ^Methodist church in Little Compton, R. I., and 
later the Methodist church at Acushnet. of which town he became a 
resident in 1S74. He was a charter member of the South Bristol Farmers' 
cliil) and pr('si(h'nt from its organization. He became a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic the year after it was established and in 
1870 joined the King Philip Lodge of Free Masons in Fall River. Capt. 
Howland m. -Ian. 1, 1S74, Ennna Harvey, dan. of Capt. James Harvey and 
Emily (Coodspeetl) llallett of Barnstable, ]\lass. Capt. Hallett^ was son 
of Harvey^, (William*^. Jonathan"*, David^, Jonathan-, Andrew^). In a 
bundle of MSS. found in the l*ublic Records office in London in 1870 was 
a list of passengers "bound for New England," dated "Waymouth y^ 
20th of March 1635." Entry number 102 on the list was "Andrewe 
Hallett and his s'vaunl." He is recorded elsewhere as "Andrew. Hallett 
Gentleman." This was a title given to few in Plymouth Colony. It 
indicates that he was possessed of good estate and was of some note in his 
native land. Emily, wife of Capt. James', was dan. of Capt. Charles and 
Soi)hronia (Marston) Goodspeed of Marstons Mills, Barnstable, Mass. 
Capt. Howland was taken from this sphere of his activities very suddenly 
by a stroke of apoplexy on Aug. 27, 1907. Although not long in years 
his life was remarkable for what he accomplished. A memorial sketch 
prepared by one who knew liim long and well appears at the beginning 
of this History. 



310 



LEROY ALBERT ROWLAND 




L.EKOY ALBERT HOWLAND 



ROWLAND, LEROY ALBERT ^o, 
son of Franklyn^ (Stephen R^, 
William'^, Thomas^- Thomas^, James^, 
NathanieP, Zoeth^, Henr}^!) How- 
land, and wife, Emma Harvey 
(-lames'^, Harvey^' William^, Jona- 
than^, David^, Jonathan^, Andrew^) 
Hallett of Barnstable, Mass., was 
born in Aenshnet Jnly 6, 1879. At 
a very early age he began to show a 
love for stndy and to express a 
desire to fit himself for a college 
conrse. Stndying at home under the 
tuition of his parents until twelve 
years of age, he then entered the 
Friends' Academy in New Bedford, 
where he prepared for college. He 
passed the Harvard University 
examinations before the age of 
seventeen and entered Wesleyan 
University at Middletown, Conn., 
September, 1896. Early in his college 
course he decided to make a specialty of mathematics, in which he had 
shown good ability. He was graduated in 1900 with honors in general 
scholarship and special honors in mathematics. For a number of years 
much of his time during his vacations was employed in tutoring. In the 
fall of 1900 an instructorship in mathematics was offered him at Drexel 
Institute, Philadelphia, and this position he held for three years. Feeling 
the truth of the old adage, "There is plenty of room at the top," Mr. 
Howland had been looking forward to more advanced study, and in the 
fall of 1908 he entered Harvard Universit}" for post-graduate work, 
receiving at the close of his first year the degree of Master of Arts. After 
still another year's study at the same university he was called to Wes- 
leyan, his Alma Mater, to take charge of the department of mathematics 
during a year's absence of Professor E. B. Van Vleck. At the end of the 
year a traveling fellowship was granted him from Harvard, and in the 
summer of 1906 he went abroad for still further study. He remained in 
Berlin for a time, making a special study of the German language, and in 
the fall of 1906 entered the University of Munich, Germany. During the 
summer of 1907 he traveled extensively through parts of England, Ger- 
many, France, Switzerland, Belgium and Holland. He is now continuing 
his studies at Munich, and expects to make teaching in college or 



311 

university his profession. He is a member of the Psi Upsilon College 
Fraternity and of the graduate fraternity of Phi Beta Kappa. The 
renowned Mayflower of 1620 brought to America at least eight persons 
from whom Mr. Rowland is a lineal descendant, namely : 1, Francis 
Cooke; 2, Isaac Allerton : 3, Mary Norris Allerton ; 4, Mary Allerton 
(dau. of ]\Iary 3) ; 5, Jolm Tilley; 6, Elizabeth Tilley; 7, John Howland; 
8, Samuel Fuller. 

MAX FRANKLYN HOWLAND 



HOWLAND. ]\1AX FKAXKLYNi'^ 
son of Franklyn^, (Stephen R.^. 
William'^, Thomas^, Thomas'^, Janies^. 
NathanieP, Zoeth^, Henry^) How- 
land and wife, Emma Harvey. 
(James'^. Harvey^, Willianr'. Joiui- 
than^, David^, Jonathan-, Andrew^) 
Hallett of Brirnstablc. Mass., (see 
Frankly n, and Leroy Albert), wat^ 
])()i'ii ill Acushiict Aug. 6. 1881. His 
boyhood was spent upon his father's 
estate, .and in the lionie he studied 
under the care of his jjarcuts until 
the age of twelve, when he entered 
the Friends' Academy in New Bed- 
ford to prepare for college. Grad- 
uating from the academy in the 
Spring of 1899, he entered Wesley an 
University, Middletown, Conn., iu 
the Fall of the same year. There he 
pursued a very successful four years ' 
course and was graduated in June, 

1903. He was a member of the Psi Upsilon College Fraternity and the 
C. & C, S. & S.. and O. N. E. Societies. Mr. Howland had looked for- 
ward to a professional life, preferably medical, but trouble with his eyes 
which increased with prolonged study made it advisable for him to 
abandon this preference and, having from childhood, a love and ability 
for business, he chose a mercantile life. Immediately upon finishing his 
college course he entered the training school of the Library Bureau in Bos- 
ton, a business which was incorporated in 1879 and has branches in all 
the principal cities of America and Europe. After a course of study, Mr. 
Howland was engaged by the concern and was assigned to the manage- 
ment of the Bureau's business in the southeastern states, with office at 
Atlanta. Ga. He remained there three years and was then transferred to 




MAX FUANKL,YN HOWLAND 



31^ 

the New York office of the corporation. In the Fall of 1907, Mr. Rowland 
was pnt in charge of the Boston sales store of the firm and is again settled 
in his native state. He is vice president of the Wesleyan Young Alumni 
of Boston. 

JENNY FAMILY 



The "First Comer" of the Jenny family of this section was John, 
who came to Plymouth in the Fannie in 1623, with his wife Sarah, who 
was a Carey. They had Ch. Sanmel, Abigail, m. Henry Wood, Sarah m. 
Thomas Pope in 16-46, John, and Susanna. He was a man of consider- 
able importance at Plymouth, where he served as a Representative and 
was on the Governor's Council. John had various business interests at 
Plymouth, one of which was a windmill for grinding corn. Sarah con- 
tinued to run this. Evidently she and her employee were not as careful 
about the work as they should have been, as at the court of August 20, 1644. 
"M^*^ Jenney vpon the psentment ag^^ her pmiseth to amend the grinding 
at the Mill, and to keepe the morters cleane, and baggs of corn from 
spoyleing and looseing." ^M^*« Jenney" apparently had considerable 
business capacity and nerve and some means, as, after the death of her 
husband in 1644, she conducted the enterprises he left at Plymouth and 
in 1652 boldly entered the syndicate that purchased old Dartmouth, 
thereby obtaining possession of a part of the tract. Her sons John and 
Samuel inherited a part at least of her purchase, and later settled on 
that portion of it located near Acushnet village. Their mother doubtless 
was here with them. John Jenne, Jr., gave land out of his holdings for 
the Precinct meeting house and cemetery near Parting Ways a copy of 
which Act is given under the heading of the Precinct Meeting House. 

CHARLES H. KENYON 



KENYON, CHARLES H., son of Charles and Julia Kenyon, was born 
in New Bedford Oct. 23, 1861. He received a public school education in 
New Bedford and Acushnet, the family moving into this town in 1872. 
He was with his father, who conducted a sales stable business in the 
village, till July 1. 1896, when he purchased the grocery business of 
George H. Gilford on the corner of Mill and ^lain streets and the house 
opposite where he resided. He was appointed U. S. postmaster of Acush- 
net on the 21st of the same July. There he conducted a suc- 
cessful business and acceptably filled the office till his death, May 18, 1904. 
Mr. Kenyon was greatly handicapped by an asthmatic affliction, but this 
discouragement was bravely met with application, industry and integrity. 
He m. Dec. 9, 1898, Abbie L., dan. of Hananiah and Helen Collins of 
Acushnet. (See elsewhere.) 



313 



EBENEZER LEONARD 



LEONARD, EBENEZER. son of 

Ebenezer and Mary (Philips) Leon- 
ard, was b. April 10, 1814, at 
Taunton, where his father was 
engaged in agriculture. When 18 
years of age he began learning the 
trade of boatbuilding at New Bed- 
ford, where he was employed several 
years. Then he purchased a place 
on the Middle rond in this town and 
engaged in the business on his own 
account, teaching his two sons the 
trade, and they cniiai^t'd in it with 
tlieii- father as long ;is he lived. 
sni)plying l)<)ats for vessels at Ncav 
Bedford engaged in the Avhaling 
fishery. Mr. Leonard was held in 
high esteem for integrity and square 

dealings liy his business associates and by iiis townsmen, who re-elected 
him innny limes ;is selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor. 
Tie was a Democrat in ])oIitics and a regular attendant of the M. E. 
church at Long Plain, of whidi liis wife was a member. He d. May 
24, 1891, and ]\Irs. Leonard Oct. 7. 18!)8. INlr. Leonard m. Nov. 29, 1835, 
Mary J., dau. of James and Mary P. Henley, b. in Barnstable Oct. 26, 1817. 
Children: (1) Thomns W. ; (2) Daniel; (3) Eben F. (see elsewhere); 

(4) Charles F. ; (5) Adeline G., b. Nov. 4, 1850. m. 1st Benjamin T- 

Peckham; m. 2nd, William F. Tirrell ; (6) Mary E. 




EBENEZER LEONARD 



314 



EBEN F. LEONARD 



LEONARD, EBEN F.. son of 

Ebenezer above, was b. at New Bed- 
ford July 25, 1845, and six years 
Inter ])ecame a resident of Aeushnet 
with his father's family. He at- 
tended the public schools till he was 
eighteen, when he beg-an to learn 
lioAv to construct whaleboats in his 
father's shop, opposite the home 
stead. He continued here till the 
death of his father, when he and his 
])rother, Charles F., went on witli 
the business until the shop was 
burned in 1900. Eben F. then opened 
a shop in the "Joseph Taber house," 
so-called, on Middle road, where he 
continues the business alone, still 
finding a ready sale for all his boats 
in the New Bedford market. He has been entrusted by the town with the 
office of selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor continuously since 
1894, and represented his district in the State Legislature of 1904. Mr. 
Leonard m. Nov. 8, 1866, Adaline D., dan. of James and Phebe P. 
(Spooner) Gracie. They have one child, Ida F. (See elsewhere.) 




EBEN p. LEONARD 



315 



JOHN LUMBARD 



LUIMBARD. JOIIX. son of Capt, 
Joseph (whose father Samuel served 
in the Revolutionary war) and Tju 
einda (Savery) Lumbard. was b. in 
Rochester, Feb. 22, ISK). .losepli 
died when John was l)ut seven 
months old. Lucinda afterwards ni. 
James Tabci' of lliis town ami John 
came here, where lie ever aflei'wards 
lived. Tie coiiiiiienced to learn a car- 
penter's trade at the aiic of 17. and 
after workiiit;- at this a few yeai's he 
engagfed in maiiutaet iirin^' wooden 
boxes on his own aeeouiit, heinu' one 
of the first in this town to engage 
in the business, which he carried on 
in the rear of his dwelling on the 
west side of Long Plain road, a few 

rods tu.rth of Parting Ways, which he hiiilt in 1847. He continued in 
this i)iisiness till ill health compelled him to retire. Mr. Ijum])ard was 
interested in the welfare of the town, bnt could never be persuaded to 
accept i)nl)lic oflice. lie Ixn-ame a nuMnhei- of the Congregational Society 
at Lund's corner in liis l)oyhood. hefoi-e they had a church building, and 
worshipped in the sehoolhouse just west of the bridge. He remained a 
useful member until his death in 1908. By industry, good business ca- 
pacity and uprightness in all his dealings, he made a success of his busi- 
ness and his life. Mr. Lumbard m. in 1854 Susan Eliott,.dau. of Edward 
Pope Spooner. Children b. in Acushnet: (1) Charles E. (see elsewhere) : 
(2) Joseph E. (see elsewhere.) 




JOHN LUMBAIIL) 



316 



CHARLES EMERY LUMBARD 



LTTI\[BARD. CHARLES EMERY. 

son of John (above) and Susan 
Eliott Lnmbard. was h. Sept. 30, 
1855, in Acushnet. He was educat- 
ed in public schools of his native 
town and New Bedford. At the age 
of seventeen he went to New Bedford 
to learn the trade of house carpenter 
of Charles DeWolf, serving four 
years apprenticeship. In 1901, he 
entered into partnership with A. P. 
Pope, corner of Bethel and William 
streets. ]\Ir. Luml)ard joined the 
Acushnet Lodge of Odd Fellows in 
New Bedford in 1878 and became 'a 
member of Concordia Lodge of Free 
IMasons in Fairhaven (now called 
George H. Taber Lodge) in 1891. In politics he has always 
supported the Republican ticket. He m. Nov. 30, 1882, Mary A., 
dan. of John and Sophia Wilcox (see elsewhere.) They have one son 
Ralph E. Lnmbard who attended the Fairhaven schools and graduated 
from the Fairhaven High school .June 21, 1906. In Sept. 1896 Mr. Lnm- 
bard built a house in Fairhaven, where he now resides. He has held 
positions of trust and is a man highly esteemed for his integrity of 
character. 




CHARLES EMERl' LUMBARD 



317 



JOSEPH EDWARD LUMBARD 




JOSEPH EDWARD LUMBAUD 



LUMBARD, JOSEPH EDWARD, 
son of John and Susan Eliott Lum- 
bard, was b. in Aeushnet July 25, 
1865. (See John Lumbard.) lie re- 
ceived bis earl\' cdneatioii in the 
public schools oi' tliis town jiikI in ;i 
private school at New Bedford, lie 
was early possessed witli a strong 
desii-c to !)(' a physician. With 
this end in view he cntci-cd 
the Boston City IIosi)itai in 1882 
to pre])ar(' for a nni'sc. an;l cn- 
gagred in thai occnpalion as |)ri\a1(' 
nurse four years to assist him tinan- 
cially in a eolleore course. He oradu- 
ated wilh tlic decree of M. I), in 1889. 
Dr. liunihard has since l)een house snr^con and physieian at the J. Hood 
Wright lle)spital and the Lyiiiii-in Hospital, attending physician to 
Roosevelt Hospital and Vanderbilt elinie. visiting jJiysician to Harlem 
and Calvary (Minreh l)isi)ensaries, assistant surgeon of St. Andrews 
Hospital for Women, lie is medical examiner for John Hancock Mutual 
Life Insurance Co., a Fellow of the Academy of Medicines; member of 
the Medical Society, was president of the Harlem Medical Association in 
1901. He is a member of the Society Alumni of J. Hood Wright Hos- 
pital; the Physicians Mutual Aid Association; the Bunting Lodge of Free 
Masons and of several social and debating clubs. All the above organ- 
izations are of New York city, where Dr. Lumbard has resided since 1889. 
It is obvious that he made no mistake in the choice of a life occupation, 
in which he has been eminently successful. Dr. Lumbard m. April 18, 
1900, lilartha Louise, dau. George Meier of New York city. Children : 
(1) Joseph Edward, Jr., b. Aug. 18, 1901; (2) Agnes Henrietta, b. Jan. 
13, 1904. 



318 



PARKMAN MACY LUND 



LUND, PARKMAN MACY, is de- 
scended from Thomas Lvind, b. in 
1660, who settled in Dunstable, N. H. 
The line is Thomas^, William-', Wil- 
liam^, John^, Jonathan^, Parkmati 
M^. Jonathan P. was b. in Nashua, 
N. H., Sept. 12, 1796. He came to 
Acushnet in 1831 and purchased in 
183-1 what is now known as Lund's 
corner. Here he established a tin 
and hardware business and also man- 
ufactured candles and paper and op- 
erated a saw mill. He m. Nov. 25, 
1827, Rebecca Ames Eaton of South 
Readinpf. now Wakefield, Mass. 
They had five children, Parkman M., 
Rebecca H., Eliza S., Jonathan P., 
Jr., and Edward P. Jonathan, Sr., 
d. Dee. 4. 187-4. His wife d. June 8, 1883. Parkman Macy, the subject 
of this sketch, was b. in Wakefield, Mass., Feb. 25, 1829. His education 
was obtained in the schools of New Bedford. He was associated in the 
tin and hardware business with his father Jonathan P. until 1864, when 
he purchased the store and continued the business up to 1868, when he 
sold it, since then devoting his attention to his private interests. Mr. 
Lund was one of the early members of the Board of Trade and has been 
since 1879 a trustee of the Five Cents Savings Bank, serving on the board 
of investment since Jan. 1887, and clerk of the board since Jan., 1888. 
He m. Jan. 23, 1863, Sarah R., dau. of Clifton Lund of Nashua, N. H, 
They have one son, William Clifton, b. Oct. 27, 1866. 




PARKMAN MACY LUND 



319 



DENNIS S. MASON 



MASON, DENNIS S., son of Reuben, was born in this town at the home- 
stead on the east side of the road above Long Plain, July 5, 1860. He 
remained and worked on the farm till 1888, when he succeeded Caleb 
Slade in the grocery business at the end of the Rochester road in Long 
Plain village, which he conducted for many years. Mr. Mason served 
as Town Clerk, Treasurer and Collector from April, 1889, till 1901. He 
was appointed postmaster of the Long Plain office in May, 1890. He was 
also commissioned a Justice of the Peace. For a number of years he has 
held the office of Superintendent of the Sunday School of the Baptist 
church in the village. ]\Ir. ^Mason m. Nov. :}, 1887, Bertha W., dan. of 
James A. and ]Mary D. (Chase) Lawrence. Children: (1) Reuben, 3tl, b. 
June 27, 1891; (2) Lawrence, b. Oct. 6, 1896. 



SETH MENDELL 

MENDELL, SETH, son of Ellis Mendell. was b. Nov. 6, 1815, at the 
Ellis Mendell homestead, "among a people," he says, "noted for kindli- 
ness of heart and all that makes nobility of life." He was educated 
in the little district school at Perry Hill, whore he says, "I learned the 
best lessons of life from patient and devoted teachers," at Rochester 
Academy, and special courses of study in Boston. Mr. Mendell, early in 
life, secured employment in the i)ublishing house of The Youth's Com- 
panion, Boston. His business capacity, industry and fidelity to duty 
secured his rapid promotion till he reached the responsible position ot 
business manager and treasurer, which he occupies at the present time. 
He has been for many years a highly esteemed official of the Pilgrim 
Memorial church and Sunday school of Dorchester. Mr. Mendell m. in 
1881, Elizabeth, dau. of Martin and Catherine S. Ballon of Princeton, 
111, Children : (1) Margaret E., graduate of Smith college, and (2) Mary. 



320 



REV. ELLIS MENDELL 




REV. ELLIS MENDELL 



MENDELL, REV. ELLIS, son of 
Ellis Mendell, was b. at the Men- 
dell home, April 27, 1851. After 
attending- the town schools he com- 
l)leted a college preparatory eonrse 
at Philli])s Academy. Andover, and 
graduated from Yale in the class of 
1874. As his subsequent career amply 
demonstrated he made no mistake in 
deciding on the Christian ministry 
;is his life work. His environments 
from youth in the North Congre- 
gational church ill New Bedford and 
from birth in the sweet atmosphere 
of a Christian home were leading- 
factors in this wise choice. After 
graduating from the Yale Divinity 
school he at once entered upon the 
active ministry of the Congregational denomination, in which he con- 
tinued as long as he lived. He held but two pastorates, ten years with the 
church at Norwood, and then from 1888. at the Boylston Congregational 
church of Boston, till his death. May 20, 1903, about 15 years. This 
speaks volumes for his ability, popularity, tactfulness, and consecration to 
his work. An indication of the affection and high regard in which he was 
held by his neighbors in Boston is found in the public record of naming a 
public schoolhouse near his residence, "The Ellis ^Mendell School," after 
the authorities had already decided favorably on the name of "The 
Alexander Hamilton School." One who knew him intimately, not a 
relative, wrote of him that he believed always in the Infinite Providence 
and never doubted that God was in the movement of affairs; he made 
no compromise with wrong, and his life was the strongest protest against 
it; he w^as always planning, executing and achieving something for the 
moral and spiritual welfare of humanity. Mr. IMendell m. May 1, 1879, 
Clara, dan. of Dr. Charles Barnes and Esther Antoinette Whittlesey of 
New Haven, Conn. Children: (1) Elsie, b. June 7, 1880. a private school 
teacher; (2) Clarence W., b. June 3, 1883, who was in post graduate 
department of Yale in 1905; (3) Katharine A., b. June 19, 1902. 



321 



MORSE FAMILY 

]\IORSE FAMILY are from Anthonyi, who came to Boston in 1635. His 
descendants are numerous. Those of the name in this town are of the 
following line, namely: Josephs, Joshua^ Edward*, Joshua^, Milatieh^, 
who m. Joanna Swift of Plymouth, Joshua^. Joshua"^ was born probably 
in Wareham, Mass. He settled in Acushnet, where he was a lumberman 
and farmer. He m. Parnal, dau. Reuben and Thankful (Tobey) Mason, 
Their children were: (1) Edward, (2) Albert, (3) Reuben, (4) Charles, 
(5) Joshua, (6) Parnal, (7) Caroline, (8) George Pierce. 

EDWARD MORSE 



]\IORSE, EDWARD, son of Joshua 
and Parnal (Mason) Morse (see 
above) was b. in Acushnet ^May 16, 
1814. After his education in th"^ 
public schools he learned the trade 
of ship carpenter, at which occupa- 
tion he \v(»r]<('(l many years in Pair- 
haven jiiid Xew Bedford shipyard;^ 
and at the V. S. navy yard at Brook- 
lyn. X. Y. He afterwards engaged 
in luiiilici- and saw-mill business. He 
conducted the work oji his farm on 
IMorse lane, raising many horses, of 
which ho was a great lover, and sell- 
ing some for a large price. He was 
an upright, honorable man, respect- 
ed by all. Mr. Morse m. June 4, 
1837. Caroline, dau. of Seth and 
Phebe Terry, b. Oct. 8, 1819, d. Oct. 3. 1890. They had thirteen children 

(I) Phebe b. April 13. 1838. d. Oct. 23, 1844: (2)' Lydia Ann, b. Dec. 15 
1839, m. April 11. 1858. Benjamin White; (3) Rebecca Bennett, b. Aug. 14 
1841. d. Oct. 30. 1844; (4) Edward Warner, b. July 15, 1844, d. Sept. 18 
1864; (5) Phebe Terry, b. Aug. 17, 1846, m. Sept. 7, 1870, Albert L. Rob 
bins (6) Rebecca Bennett, b. Aug. 17. 1846, m. Sept. 7, 1870. Lewis E 
]\Iilliken; (7) Reuben Mason, b. Aug. 28, 1848, m. first Betsie Lewis, m 
second, Minnie Trimble; (8) Eliza P. S., b. Aug. 10, 1850, d. Feb. 22, 1853 
(9) Caroline I). Dec. 30. 1852. m. Jan. 21. 1874, Abiel Davis Ashley; (10) 
Willard Henry. 1). A])ril 7. 1855, m. Dec. 25, 1884. Harriet B. S. Wilcox 

(II) Mary Eliza, h. July 14, 1857. m. Feb. 20, 1879, Charles S. Wilcox 
(12) Lucy Jane. b. July 25. 1859; (13) Edward Warren, b. June 19, 1864, 
m. July 13. 1897. Ida Frances Leonard (see elsewhere). 




EDWARD MORSE 



322 



CHARLES M. MORSE, SR. 



MORSE, CHARLES M., SR., son of 
Joshua and Parnal (Mason) Morss 
(see al)ove) was b. at Acnshnet, Dec. 
19, 1819. He prociireil his education 
in the town schools. Al)ont the year 
1843 he shipped for a Avhaling- voy- 
ajie on the Maverick. The vessel 
was wreeketl off tlie coast of Chile 
and ]Mr. ]\Iorse's hard experience in 
his five years' voyaije induced him 
to discontinue the occupation. On 
his return lie settled in New Bed- 
ford, and worked at shipbuilding' 
there several years, when he yielded 
to tlie temptation to return to his 
native town, wluu'e he was evei" 
afterwards engaged in teaming and 
farming. He served the town sev- 
eral years as Highway Surveyor and held other positions of trust. He was 
an active and devoted member of the Advent church manj^ years previous 
to his death, which occurred Oct. 8, 1895. Mr. Morse m. in 1840, Mary 
A., dau. of Isaac and Hannah Bisbee of Acnshnet. Children : (1) Mary F., 
d. in infancy; (2) Betsey J., b. Dec. 23, 1843; (3) Charles Mason (see 
elsewhere) ; (4) Emma F., b. Aug. 14, 1853. 




CHARLES M. MORSE, SR. 



323 



JOSHUA MORSE 



MORSE, JOSHUA, son of Joshua 
and Parnal Morse (above) was b. 
at the Morse homestead in Aeushnet 
Feb. i>4. 1822. He nttenchMl the pub 
lie schools in this town till he went 
to h'Mi'u the ti-a(h> of a slii[)hiiihbM\ 
at which he worked in Fairhaven 
and \ew Bedford. When lie bi^cauv 
again a resident of .\cnshnet he en- 
gaged in fai-ming and in Ihe Inniber 
business. About 1888 he sobl his i'ai-iu 
and moved to Long IMain. where he 
remained lill 1S94, when lie moved 
to New Bedford, where he after- 
wards li\'ed. nntil his death, dune 1, 
18f)6. Mr. Morse was universally es- 
teemed and took an active interest in 
the public Aveal. His native town hon- 
ored him by (dioosing him a Selectman. Assessor and Overseer of the Poor 
four years, and also Highway Surveyor several years; and the 3d Bristol 
district by electing him a member of the State Senate of 1877. He and 
his wife Avere both interested members of the Advent church. Mr. 
Morse m. Julia A., dau. Mason and Abigail Taber of Aeushnet in 1843. 
Children: (1) Asa T.. b. Jan. 27, 1844 (see elsewhere); (2) Abbie J. b. 
April 1. 1853: m. Caleb Slade (see elscAvhere) ; (3) Augustus, lost at sea, 
age 21. 




JOSHUA MORSE 



324 



GEORGE P. MORSE 




MORSE, GEORGE P, son of Joshua 
(see elsewhere) and Parnal Morse, 
was born Oct. 19, 1830, at Acushnet, 
where he was educated. He owns 
and occupies the homestead of his 
parents. His chief occupation has 
been agriculture and dealing in 
lumber and firewood. For many 
years Mr. Morse was actively con- 
cerned in the town government, 
serving ten consecutive years as 
Town Clerk, Collector and Treas- 
urer, and was 15 years a member of 
the School Committee. Besides this 
he represented the 4th Bristol dis- 
trict, including Acushnet, in the 
House of Representatives of the 
State Legislatiu-e in 1884, serving on tlie committee on agriculture. Mv. 
Morse was one of the early members of the original Baptist society at 
Long Plain, whose house of worship was torn down many years ago, and 
his wife is a member of the present Perry Hill church. Mr. Morse m. 
Ruth Davis, dau. of William B. and Louisa Omey of Acushnet. Louis.-i 
was dau. of Joseph and Rebecca (Mason) Taber. Rebecca was dau. of 
Hezekiah and Parnal (West) Mason. Children: (1) George Henry, b. 
June 17, 1859, an auctioneer and in the real estate business; (2) May 
Louise, b. May 2, 1868, m. William G. Taber (see elsewhere) ; (3) Frank 
Winfred, b. Nov. 20, 1876, a civil engineer, m. Edith Spooner of Long 
Plain. Ch. : Kathryn Leonard. All born in Acushnet. ]Mr. and Mrs. 
Morse have been for many years members of the South Bristol Farmers' 
club. 



GEORGE P. MORSE 



325 



ASA T. MORSE 



MORSE, ASA T, son of Joshua (see 
elsewhere) and Julia A. (Taber) 
Morse, was b. at Acushnet, Janu- 
ary 27, 1844. His only educational 
advantages were those offered by the 
Whelden district school of this town. 
With this and a good stock of phy- 
sical and mental energy and upright 
dealing he lias made ;i success in 
business ;m<l nii hunorabJe record 
Avith his ;iss()ei;it('s. Mr. Morse was 
engaged in wool scouring and manu- 
facturing at East Falmouth. Mass., 
from 1877 till 1899, when he moved 
his plant to St. Louis, Mo., where he 
organized the "Morse Wool and 
Scouring Co.," which has gradually 
increased its volume of business 

now become an extensive one under the name of the "Morse-Spurr Wool 
Scouring Co." Mr. Morse has always been the president and active 
manager of the company, and is now ably assisted by his son Louis A., 
who is the secretary. Mr. .Morse is a member of the Masonic fraternity,' 
also a member and trustee of the Water Tower Baptist church at St! 
Louis. He m. Aug. 2, 3871, Hannah D., dau. of Anthony (s. of Michael) 
and Louise Hathaway of New Bedford. Children : (1) Louisa A., b. Nov. 
11, 1874 ; (2) Ethel F. b. July 31, 1877. Both b. at New Bedford, Mass. 




ASA T. MORSE 



326 



CHARLES MASON MORSE, JR. 



MORSE, CHARLES MASON, JR., 
son of Charles M. (see above) and 
IMary (Bisbee) Morse, was b. at New 
Bedford July 1, 1851, and soon 
after eame with his parents to re- 
side in Acnshnet, here receiving 
his education. At the ag-e of 18 
he became an apprentice to a 
house builder. After a time he 
r('lin([uished this oceuj)ation, and 
engaged in the retail grocery busi- 
ness at Parting Ways in 1879. He. 
continued here and at a branch store 
at Lund's corner a period of 21 
years, with residence at the former 
place, holding the confidence of the 
public as a merchant and a citizen. 
Mr. Morse served the town as School 
Committee from 1890 till 1896 ; nine 
years on the Board of Health ; and several years as one of the town Repub- 
lican committee. He is now residing in New Bedford, where he is engaged 
in a mercantile life. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Masonic 
fraternities, having held high positions in the latter order. Mr. Morse 
m. Sept. 21, 1879, Elizabeth P., dau. Levi (see elsewhere) and Rachel 
(Swift) Wing. 




Photo. ))y .Jas. E. Reed, Now Bwlfoid 

CHARLES MASON MORSE, JR. 



J27 



IDA F. (LEONARD) MORSE 




I'lioto. Ijy Jiis. E. Keed, New Bitlfiud 

IDA F. (LEONARD) MORSE 



]\rORSE. IDA F. (LEONARD), dau. 
of Eben F. Leonard (see elsewhere), 
was 1). ill Aciislmet Sept. 8, 1878. 
She Wcis educated iu the public 
schools of the town and choosing 
the profession of a teacher, she took 
a course of training at the Normal 
School tit BridgeAvater, Mass. Miss 
Leonard taught several years and 
sorv(Ml on the School Committee of 
her native town from 1897 to 1900 
A\ ith great acceptance. She m. July 
l;i 1897, Edward W. Morse, son of 
Edward Morse (see elsewhere). 
Children : Alice Leonard, b. Sept. 19, 
1898; Norman Terry, b. Sept. 24, 
1900, d. July 1, 1905; Clayton Mil- 
lard, b. Nov. 28, 1902. 



328 



HON. JAMES MADISON MORTON 



MORTON. HON. JAMES MADISON, was descended from George Mor- 
ton and wife Julianna Carpenter, who, with five children, came in ship 
Ann to Plymouth in 1623. James IMadison Morton, Sr., b. in Freetown 
April 28, 180:3; m. May 30, 1830, Sarah M. A. Tobey, b. in Fairhaven 
March 23, 1807. Of their children the oldest, James IMadison was b. in 
Fairhaven. now Acushnet, Sept. 5, 1837. He removed to Fall River in 
1840, which city has since been his home. He was educated in the public 
schools, a graduate of the High School, Brown University and Harvard 
Law School. A few months after graduation, in 1861, he was admitted 
to the Bristol County bar. and began the practice of his profession in the 
law office of Judge Lapham in Fall River. In 1865, he formed a law 
partnership with IMr. John S. Brayton, and in 1876 Mr. Andrew J. Jen- 
nings was taken into the firm, which continued until Judge Morton's ap- 
pointment to the supreme judicial court of this state by Gov. Braekett 
in Sept., 1890. The vacancy on the bench which Judge Morton was called 
to fill was made by the promotion of Associate Justice Walbridge A. Field 
to the place of chief justice, a position which up to that time had been 
held for many years by the Hon. Marcus Morton, a kinsman of Judge 
Morton. Harvard conferred upon him the degree of L.L. B. and the 
honorary degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by Brown 
University. He won the admiration of his associates by his unwearied 
devotion to his profession, and carried with him, when he assumed the 
duties of the high office, the same dignity and fidelity which have dis- 
tinguished him as a lawyer and citizen. He m., Nov. 6, 1866, Emily F. 
Canedy. dan. of John W. Canedy and wife Elisabeth Read. Children : 
(1) James Madison Morton, b. in Fall River Aug. 24, 1870, m. June 10. 
1896, Nancy J. B. Brayton; ch. James M. Morton, b. June 10, 1897, Bray- 
ton b. Oct. 24, 1898, Sarah b. Sept. 29, 1902. (2) Margaret b. in Fall 
River Sept. 24, 1871, m., Nov. 10, 1897, Willard F. Keeney of Grand 
Rapids, Mich.; ch. Willard F. b. Jan. 19, 1899, Morton b. June 4, 1900, 
Roger Butterfield b. Nov. 17, 1902. (3) Anne B. in Fall River Dec. 10, 
1874. 



^ 329 
GIDEON NYE 

NYE, GIDEON^ (Jonathan^, Obed^, Thomas^, Jonathans, Benjamini) was 
a descendant in the 6th generation from Benjamin Nye who settled in 
Sandwich, ]\lass., in 1637. and was the founder of the Nye family in 
America. He was the oldest son of Captain Jonathan Nye, b. 1763 d. 
1815, and Hannah ^landell. b. 1763. d. 1844. daughter of Lemuel and 
Sarah (Bourne) IMandell. and was born in Fairhaven, Nov. 21, 1786, and 
died in Acnslnu'l, ]\Iai-cb 12. 1875. Captain Jonathan Nye held a com- 
mission in the army of the Kevolution and. with liis three brothers, 
fought in the defence of the neighboring coasjts. Their father. Obed 
Nye, the grandfather of Ihe subject of this sketch, was in 1779 appointed 
one of a "Committee of Safety" which was ""empowered to furnish all 
tile men caUed from Ihe town for tlie defence of the connlry." Both 
Captain Obed and Captain Jonathan Nye were nicii of property and of 
pronnncncc in loc;d at1';iii-s and at tlic time of their death owned and oc- 
cui)icd largp farms u\u)U ihc cast si(h' of the i-oad b'ading from Pairhaven 
to Acushnet. The house occui)ied by Cai)tain Obed Nye is still standing 
bjit is not now in possession of the family. In the war of 1812-14 Gideon 
Nye. licing nnat)b' to pass the examination for active service in the field 
on account of two broken ribs, served as paymaster in one of the com 
panics stationed along the shore near New Bedford and Fairhaven to 
resist the landing of the British, lie was a merchant, a man of sterling 
character, much respected and trusted. He was much interested in the 
Webster Bank in Boston at the time of its incorporation and was a stock- 
holder in it. He was five times a member of the Massachusetts legisla- 
ture, in 1829-33-35-38 and '41. At that time the trip to Boston was made 
by stagecoach, consuming two days, but during his last term of service, 
in 1841, the railroad had just been finished between Boston and Taunton 
and the journey was then a little easier. He married Dec. 19, 1811, 
Sylvia S. Hathaway b. Sept. 20, 1790, d. April 17, 1883, daughter of 
Stephen and Al)gail (Smith) Hathaway of North Fairhaven, now Acush- 
net, a descendant of Arthur Hathaway, one of the first settlers of old Dart 
mouth, of John Cooke and Richard Warren, who came in the Mayflower, 
and of the Starbucks and Coffins of Nantucket. Their ten children were : 
Gideon Nye, Jr.. b. 1812, d. 1888, m. Mary E. Washburn ; Sylvia H. b. 
1814. d. 1902, m. Rodolphus Nye Swift; Hannah b. 1816; Clement D. b. 
1818, d. 1867, m. Jane W. Iluttleston; Thomas S. H. b. 1820, d. 1848, m. 



330 

AuDie E. Deblois: Elisabeth S. h. 1S22. d. 1S63. m. Dr. B. R. Abbe: Ed- 
ward C. H. b. 1824. d. 1SS5: Lydia 8. H. b. 1826. d. 1899. m. James Pur 
don: Jane S. b. 1829. m. B. B. Hammond: Clara G. b. 1831. m. George F. 
Bartlett. 



GIDEON NYE, JR. 

XYE, GIDEON. JR.. eldest child of Gideon Xye, b. 1786, d. 1875, and 
Sylvia S. Hathaway, b. 1790. d. 1883. was born in Xorth Fairhaven. now 
Acushnet. in 1812 and died in Canton. China. January 25. 1888. He mar- 
ried, in 1816. Mary E. "VTashburu who died in New York in 1870. a daugh- 
ter of Abiel Washburn of Middleboro. Mass. Their only child. Ellen E. 
Wa.shburn. born in Paris. France, in 181:6. died in BrookljTi. N. Y., in 
1860. Gideon Nye. Jr.. for over fifty years a merchant in China, served 
for the last ten years of his life as American Vice Consul at Canton. He 
was for many years one of the Vice Presidents of the Medical Missionary 
Society and was a corresponding member of the American Geographical 
Society and of an Englisii society of the same name. A man of integrity 
and scholarly attainment, his long residence in China and the confidence 
which he enjoyed of both the Chinese and foreign population giving him 
an insight into both sides of every question, he published many books 
and pamphlets dealing with events of the time which are of much value 
today as giving the unprejudiced views of an eye witness of events which 
led up to the late war with China. During 1845 and 1850 he purchased 
in England and brought to this country a large and valuable collection of 
paintings, which were for a long time on exhibition in New York. There 
was at that time no jDublic gallery of the great masters of painting and 
sculpture in the country and the principal artists were most anxious that 
this collection should be preserved intact as a nucleus of such a gallery, 
but there was not sufficient general interest in art at that time and the 
pictures were finally dispersed. One of them is today one of the most 
valuable paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. In 
a paper published at Canton. China, under the official seal of the United 
States. Charles SeATnour. United States Consul, makes formal announce- 
ment of the "'death on Jan. 25, 1888. at Canton, of Gideon Nye. Jr.. Es 
quire. Vice Consul of the United States and a resident of China since 
1833." The extract continues, ''The death of this venerable foreign resi- 



331 

dent who had for fifty-five years been identified with the best interests of 
the foreign community in southern China caused deep sorrow among 
foreigners and natives, who had long known him as the oldest of foreign 
residents in China and an amiable gentleman of varied experience, great 
refinement, noble purpose and fine talents. The flags of the consulates, 
custom house and foreign ships in port were at half ma.st two days in 
token of public esteem and sorrow. His eventful life had been pro- 
longed by systematic and temperate habits in a debilitating climate. The 
remains were conducted to the Foreigners' cemetery, near Fort Macao, by 
nearly the entire male foreign residents at Canton in a procession of four 
steam launches with several house-boats in tow, and thus the last sad 
tributes of respect were paid by a sorrowful community to an excellent 
and interesting gentleman, whose name will long be remembered and 
whose memory will warmly be cherished as a prominent character in the 
business and social activities of Canton and vicinity for over half a 
centurv. ' ' 



OBED NYE 

XYE. OBED. was b. in Acushnet Jan. 25. 1800. His education was limit- 
ed to the common schools of his native town. At the age of 11 he began 
his business career as a clerk in the store of Swift & Xye. at Swift 's corner 
in the village. On reaching his majority he was admitted as a partner 
in this firm in which he remained until 1861. Mr. Xye was for many years 
a fire insurance agent, and a measurer of lumber. In politics he was a 
staunch Republican. At one time he represented the district in the lower 
house of the state legislature. He was a regular attendant of the Con- 
gregational church, to which he gave substantial aid. He was a man of 
excellent habits, of decided principles and opinions, and had the highest 
respect and confidence of all with whom he was brought in social and 
business contact. On the 16th of Oct. 1821, Mr. Xye was married to 
Abbie, daughter of TVilliam. Jr.. and Abigail (Perry) Hathaway of Xew 
Bedford. They had nine children : Laura Hathaway. Helen Hathaway. 
Abbie Perry. AVilliam. Ann Hathaway, Helen H., William H., Frances H. 
and Rodolphus S. Mr. Xye's death occurred Jan. 29. 1878. at his resi 
dence on the east side of Acushnet avenue, about one eighth of a mile 
below Lund's corner. 



332 



CAPT. GEORGE J. PARKER 




CAPT. GEORGE J. PAilKER 



PARKER, CAPT. GEORGE J., son 
of Capt. John J. (s. of Capt. Jona- 
than and Paretta L.) and wife Lucy 
N. (dau. George and Charity Nye) 
Taber of Acushnet, was b. at New 
Bedford March 20, 1836. He attend- 
ed the pnl)lie schools till at the age 
of 15 he shipped as "foremast 
hand" on the Zone of Fairhaven. He 
made subsequent voyages as boat- 
steerer on the Montezuma; 3d mate 
on the William Wilson ; 1st officer 
on the Antelope; then as master of 
the Orray Taft two voyages. He 
then started in the grocery business 
at Lund's corner, and a year later 
returned to the quarter-deck, sailing 
in the Mary Frazier, then command- 
ing a fruiter between New Orleans and Honduras, concluding his long 
sea service as master of the Orray Taft, which was lost in Hudson's 
bay, returning home in 1873. The following spring he began farming 
where he now resides. The town has chosen Capt. Parker a member of 
the School Committee three years ; a member of the Board of Health ; 
a constable ; a trustee of the Town public library since it was established ; 
and in all these offices he has been a faithful public servant. He is n 
member of Eureka Lodge of Free Masons and an attendant of the Congre- 
gational church. Capt. Parker's g. f. Jonathan was a captain of mer- 
chantmen from New York to France. His f. John J. a successful whaling 
captain, lived in early life near Lund 's corner, and the last 20 years of his 
life on his place at Potter's corner in this town. Captain Parker m, 
in 1863 Elizabeth C, dau. of Lewis S. and Esther D. Pope, who d. in 1894, 
and of this marriage there are nine children living. He m. 2nd in 181)8 
Lillian M. Wood b. in Middleboro. They have one child, Paretta L, 
who has the distinction of being the 9tli generation from Capt. Myles 
Standish. 



333 

POPE FAMILY 

The Popes of Acushnet are from Thomas^ Pope, b. 1608, who appears 
in Plymouth as early as 1631. He m. 1st Ann, dau. Gabriel and Catherine 
Fallowell, and 2nd Sarah, dan. of John and Sarah (Casey) Jenney. 
Sarah had ch. (1) Seth2, |^ iQ^g. (2) Thomas^, b. 1651; (3) John^, b. 
1653, and (4) Susanna, who m. Jacob^ Mitchell, s. of Experience^ 
Mitchell. Thomas d. 1683. 



SETH POPE 

POPE, SETH^ (above), was commissioned as Justice of the Peace May 
27, 1692, and this was renewed till his death. He was Selectman of the town 
of Dartmouth in 1685. 1686. 1687. 1688. 1689. 1699. 1702 and 1705. He 
was commissioned as Lieutenant t)f a militia eom])any June 1, 1686, and 
later was made a Colonel. He was one of the first settlers here and lived 
on Sconticut neck, where he had a grist mill and a store from which he 
supplied the Indians with provisions. Here he built a block house near 
which his sou Thouuis erected a dwelling house of logs. These stood on 
the west side of the road a few yards south of the Mattapoisett road. 
The following is the inscription on the headstone of this Seth^ in the 
Precinct cemetery in this town: "Here lyes buried y® body of Seth 
Pope, of Dartmouth Avho died ^March y*^ 17tli, 1727, aged 79 years," and 
beside him was placed his wife Deborah. His homestead was on Sconti- 
cut neck. The summer resort known as Pope beach was a part of it and 
therefore its name. 



THOMAS POPE 



POPE, THOMAS^ John3, Seth2, Thomas^, lived in the house on the west 
side of the Fairhaven road, a short distance south of Sloeum road. It 
was burned by the British in their famous raid in 1778. On the head- 
stone of Thomas^, father of Edward, is this: "Mr. Thomas Pope dyed 
March y^ 2, 1784, in the 75th year of his age." Beside this is the stone 
of his wife Thankful (Dilliiigham), mother of Edward'^. He m. 2nd 
Alice Jenney. 



334 
EDWARD POPE 



POPE, ED WARDS, son of Thomas'* and wife Thankful Dillingham, was 
born Feb. 25, 1740, in a house on the west side of Fairhaven road in this 
town, which was burned in the British raid. His early education was -a 
meager one but he availed himself of every opportunity to add to it later. 
He interested himself in public matters and through his natural ability 
and sterling qualities became a prominent figure in the affairs of this 
locality, where he was highly esteemed. He was one of the four men 
comprising the Bristol county bar in 1779. He was an honored judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas. He was at one time collector, of the port 
of New Bedford, where he then lived on the corner of Sixth and Union 
streets in m bouse which now stands on Market street opposite the drink- 
ing fountain. Judge Pope was taken prisoner by the British, but was 
released the following day. He m. 1st Elizabeth BuUard of Bos- 
ton, b. 1749. (1. 1781 ; m. 2nd Mrs. Elizabeth Eliot, dau. of William and 
Mary (Brown) Greenleaf, b. Mar. 6, 1750, d. Dec. 4. 1841. The family 
were placed in a tomli he built in 1803 in tbe old luirying ground on 
Second street. 



ELIHU POPE 



POPE, ELIHU6, son of Ebenezer A.s, Samuel^, Lemuel^ Seth2, Thomas^ 
and Rebecca (dau. of Jethro Allen of Fairhaven) Pope, was b. April 18, 
1809, on the homestead in Acushnet where his father also was born and 
which he had inherited from his mother Elizabeth Akin. With the excep- 
tion of several sea voyages Elihu spent his life upon the homestead farm. 
In 1856 he built the house now standing on the Long Plain read, where 
he resided to the time of his death. This house is just back of the site 
of the old gambrel roof house in which he was born. He built in 1842 the 
blacksmith shop opposite his residence, where he worked at the trade for 
over thirty years. He m. Nov. 8, 1840, Rhoda D. (dau. of Elnathan and 
Mercy (Washburn) Taber), b. June 14, 1819. They had ch. (1) Rebecca 
Akin, b. Sept. 22, 1844, d. Feb. 12, 1846; (2) Silas (see elsewhere); (3) 
Abner Pease, b. Dec. 18, 1849 ; (4) Maria Louise, b. July 3, 1852 (see John 
A. Russell): (5) Charles Henry, b. July 17, 1854; (6) Mercy Pease, b. 
April 16, 1859; (7) Elihu Francis, b. Aug. 30, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Pope 
were both members of the Methodist church in Acushnet village. He 
lived to the age of nearly eighty-seven and d. Oct. 17, 1875, 



335 



SILAS POPE 



Thomas^, 
above), 



POPE, SILAS', son of Elihii6, Eben 
ezer A.^, SamiieP, LenmeP, Seth-, 
and wife Rhoda (see 
was born in Acnshnet 
July 8, 1847. He chose the oecn- 
patioii of a Avhah^man and made 
his first voyage in the bark 
Three Brothers from New Bedford 
as foremast hand. By good judg- 
ment and i)ush he soon reached the 
rank of master. Subsequent voy- 
ages were made in the Comnwdore 
Morris, Pacific, Daniel Webster, Bar- 
tholomew Gosnold, Young Phenix, 
Arctic, Palmetto, and Mermaid. In 
the fall of 1893 he went to St. Helena 
where he joined the Platina as first 
mate. He became ill and died at sea 

on this voyage Feb. 8. 1894. Captain Pope was popular with Ijis officers 
and men. a successfnl sperm whaleman and highly esteemed by all who 
knew him. He married June 24. 1886, Carrie D. Cushman (see else- 
where). 




CAPT. SILAS POPE 



336 



COL. ABIEL PIERCE ROBINSON 



EOBINSON, COL. ABIEL PIERCE. 
son of Capt. Godfrey and Hannah^, 
(Abiel°, Ebenezer^, Isaac^, Isaac^, 
Abraham^,) (Pierce) Robinson, was 
b. in Raynham Aug-. 7, 1796, where 
he resided till he bought what was 
known as the "Hammett Farm" on 
Rochester road, east of Lon^ Plain, 
Oct. 24. 1824. where he and his bride 
moved and resided until their death. 
This farm was added to later by his 
luirchase of the Wing, Davis and 
C(try farms, the whole now known 
as the "Colonel Robinson Farm." 
This he skillfully tilled, and besides 
was a dealer and expert in lumber, 
an efficient land surveyor, a faithful 
official of the town and church, and 
a man whose advice and assistance were often sought. He was distinctly 
of a religious nature. This characteristic was pre-eminent in his life and 
made him one of the leading and most efficient members of the Baptist 
church at Long Plain, with which he was closely identified many years. 
He inherited a military spirit and became a colonel of the State Militia. 
In politics he was a loyal member of the Democratic party. He died at 
his home Dec. 16, 1878. Colonel Robinson was one of the intelligent, 
industrious, thrifty Christian gentlemen of his day and generation. He 
m. Nov. 25, 1824, Chloe. dau. of Seth Dean of Raynham. She d. Aug. 
23, 1859. Tlu\v had ch. Sarah D.. Mary F. D. and Chloe C. D., who m. 
Adoniram Gilmoi-e of Raynham and had children Mary Frances, m. Daniel 
T. Devoll (see elsewhere), and Abiel P. R. (see elsewhere). 




COL. ABIEL PIERCE ROBINSON 



337 



JONES ROBINSON 




JONES ROBINSON 



ROBINSON, JONES, brother of Col. 
Abiel Pierce Robinson (above) and 
son of Godfrey and Hannah (Pierce) 
Robinson, was b. Oct. 5, 1808, at 
Raynhani, Mass. He was educated in 
the public schools of Raynham, and 
fitted for college in a select school. 
He chose the profession of a physi- 
cian, but after six months of study 
he was obliged to abandon his pur- 
pose and became a teacher, in 
which occupation he was a marked 
success for a period of thirty years. 
He came to live in this town 
in early life, most of the time 
on his farm on the east side of Fair- 
haven road. While a citizen here he 

held various town offices, including that of School Committee, for over 
20 years ; he was a Justice of the Peace over 40 years ; represented the 
district in the Mass. House of Representatives in 1842 and 1843. Abouc 
1867 he r(Mnoved to New Bedford where he was a member of the city 
council, an assessor and on the school committee. He superintended the 
laying of the first macadam on Acushnet avenue and the building of the 
first conduit of the water works. He was also a civil engineer and auc- 
tioneer. Both he and his wife were active members of the Congregational 
church at Lund's corner, having belonged to a church from childhood. 
He died Jan. 17, 1892, after a busy, upright, honorable career. Mr. 
Robinson m. June 7, 1829, Julia A. dan. of Elijah and Phebe Gushee of 
Raynham, who d. July 26, 1879. Children: (1) Julia E., educated in the 
public schools, the high school, Rochester Academy and a private school at 
New Bedford; m. Joseph Webster, M. D., of New Bedford; one child, 
Isabelle R. (2) Isabil M. ; educated in the town schools and at Wheaton 
Seminary; m. George G. Hall, now proprietor of the Adams House, Bos- 
ton; ch. George R. and Frank G., both in the Adams House. (3) Abbie 
F. R., educated in Acushnet and New Bedford High school ; m. J. Frank 
Kirk, a grain dealer of that city. 



338 



RUSSELL FAMILY 

Allen was the first of the name to live in Aeushnet. He was b. 
March 2, 1745, and d. Feb. 13, 1835. Before coming- to this town he 
owned and operated saw mills near the Hix meeting honse. As early 
as 1806 he l)onght the farm now owned hy Thomas W. Knowles on the 
west side of Fairhaven road an eighth of a mile sonth of Parting Ways, 
and much of the land adjoining. For this he paid the then large sum of 
$5,100 or thereabouts, showing that he was a man of some means. He m. 
in 1781 Abigail, dau. of Gideon and Elizabeth Allen, who d. Nov. 11, 1815. 
Their ehilden were (1) Meribah ; (2) Gideon, d. young; (3) Elizabeth 
d. young; (1) David, m. 1st Betse,y Blackmer of Rochester, who d. in 
1823; m. 2nd Mrs. Mary F. Blackmer; (5) :\laria, m. John Taber; (6) 
Lemuel (see below) ; (7) Susan, m. Gamaliel Lincoln. Lemuel^, (Allen^, 
Abraham^, Joseph Jr.-^, Joseph^, John^), sixth child of Allen and Abigail 
above was b. in Dartmouth April 20. 1791, and came to Aeushnet with his 
parents when a boy of fourteen. He m. jNlercy W. Taber of Aeushnet 
March 21, 1810. She was 1). April 21. 1791. d. I\larch 18. 1863. He d. 
April 15, 1854. Their children were (1) (Jeorge T. (see elsewhere); (2) 
Elizabeth b. March 28, 1813. d. young; (3) Betsey B. b. March 11. 1815, d. 
March 17, 1879; (4) Allen (see elsewhere) ; (5) Nye T. b. Aug. 16. 1819, 
d. young. 



GEORGE T. RUSSELL 




GEORGE T. RUSSELL 



RUSSELL. GEORGE T.^ son of 
Tjcimiel" (al)ov<0, was Ixu'ii at Aeush- 
net vilhige. then New l:iedfor(l. June 
8, 1811. He always lived there or on 
FjiirliHven road in the south part of 
tli(^ town. He was widely known as 
a dealer in real estate, especially 
woodland, of which he and his 
l)rother Allen were large holders, and 
both were considered experts in the 
value of such property. Mr. Russell 
always was deeply interested in the 
welfare of the town but declined to 
accei't pul)lic office. He had a re- 
markable memory, which he re- 
tained to the time of his death and it 
was a great pleasure to talk with 
him and listen as he related incidents 



339 

and described scenes of his early daj-s. He d. May 16, 1899. Mr. Russell 
m. Oct 29, 1837, Rnhey B.. dan. Thomas, Jr., (Thomas, John, Edward, 
Ellis, Joseph, Edward, of the Mayflower) and Bathsheba Doty, b. April 
10, 1816, d. Dec. 28, 1891. Children: (1) Abby, b. Nov. 3, 1838; (2^ 
George T., Jr. (see below) ; (3) Charles L.. b. Oct. 13, 1841 : m. Mary E. 
Potter; child, Elizabeth L., 1). Aug. 23, 1881; (4) Elizabeth A., b. April 
10, 1845; m. Feb. 21, 1867, Israel D., s. of Rev. Israel Washburn; (5) 
Abby L., b. May 11, 1847; (6) Sylvia H., b. April 10, 1849; (7) Ruble 
D., b. Feb. 13, 1857; (8) Henry T., b. July 11, 1854, d. in infancy; (9) 
Henry Thomas (see elsewhere). 



ALLEN RUSSELL, SR. 



RI^SSELL, ALLEN, SR.^ son of 
Lemuel*' (above), was born March 
16, 1817, at the '•' Squire Clark house ' ' 
in the village. He was educated in 
the public schools, one of his teachers 
being "Betsey Pitcher," afterwards 
Elizabeth (Pitcher) Taber who dona- 
ted Talior Academy. ]\Iarion. He 
was attacked witli the whaling fever 
early and went out on the barlv 
.lava at the age of 16, ])ut discon- 
tinued the life of a sailor at the end 
of th(! voyage. Later lie became an 
extensive dealer in real estate, espe- 
cially woodland, of which he was an 
excellent judge. The only public 
office he could be persuaded to accept 
was prudential committee of the 

school in the building, now the town house. He was an attendant upon 
religious services in the Ohl Precinct Meeting house and in the Methodist 
church. He was highly esteemed for his business integrity and upright 
life. He d. Jan. 26, 1888, at his home on Acushnet avenue, where he had 
resided since 1866. Mr. Russell m. Rhoda R., dan. of Ebenezer and 
Susanna (Beedon) Gifford, b. in North Dartmouth. Children: (1) John 
A. (see elsewhere) ; (2) Allen, Jr. (see elsewhere). 




ALLEN RUSSELL. SR. 



340 



GEORGE T. RUSSELL, JR. 




RUSSELL, GEORGE T.^, JR., son of 
George T., SrJ (above), and Riibey 
B. Russell, was b. in Acushnet Jan. 8, 
1840. He is the 8th in descent from 
Edward Doty of the Mayflower. He 
was educated in the schools of 
Acushnet and New Bedford and 
Commercial college in Providence, 
R. L At the age of eighteen he be- 
gan to teach and continued in this 
vocation with great success for 22 
successive years. The town repori 
of Acushnet for one of these years 
gives the following allusion to Mr. 
Russell's ability as a teacher: "Mr. 
Russell enjoys an enviable reputa- 
tion as a successfid teacher, exhibiting at all times those qualities so es- 
sential to success, namel,y : firmness, patience and self-possession." He 
taught in the schools of Acushnet, Pairhaven and New Bedford and in 
Schofield's Commercial college in Providence, R. I., and served the town of 
Acushnet as school committee for three years. Since 1875 he has been 
employed more or less of the time in the New Bedford Institution for 
Savings. Mr, Russell is a member of Middleboro Lodge No. 135, I. 0. 
O. F., and Annawan Encampment, No. 8, of New Bedford. 



GEORGE T. RUSSEL,L, JR. 



341 



JOHN A. RUSSELL 



RUSSELL, JOHN A.\ son of Allen 
RusselF, Sr. (above), was b. Aug. 8, 
1849, in the "Capt. John Hawes 
house," east of the bridge in the 
village, and was edneated in the pub- 
lic schools. Tie assisted his father 
ill his farming and real estate busi- 
ness, and since his death has con- 
tinued the same and lives in Ihe 
homestead on Acnshnet avcmii'. W" 
has been an active member of the 
Hancock Fire Engine comi)aiiy many 

years, holding the offiees of eh'rk. 

assistant foreman and foreman with 

great acceptance. He was a mem- 
ber of the New Bedford Common 

Council in 1881. He has been a 

trustee of the Methodist church in 

the village many years and his wife is an official ni the same society. 

Mr. Russell m. March 12, 1891, Maria L., dau. of Elihu (see elsewhere) and 

Rhoda (Taber) Pope of this town. 




JOHN A. RUSSELL. 



342 



HENRY THOMAS RUSSELL 




HENRY THOMAS RUSSELL 



RUSSELL, HENRY THOMAS^ son 
of George T.'^ (above) and Rubey B., 
was 1). in Acnshnet June 19, 1855. 
He was educated in the public 
schools of his native town and the 
pu])lie schools and Friends' Acad- 
emy of New Bedford. Mr. Russell 
resides with his sister Ruble D. at 
the homestead in Acushnet village 
and, with his brother George T., Jr., 
manages the unsettled estate of his 
father. He is a member and official 
of the Methodist church and has the 
confidence and esteem of his towns- 
men. Mr. Russell is unmarried. 



ALLEN RUSSELL, JR. 



RUSSELL, ALLEN8, JR., son of 
Allen'^ and Rhoda R. Russell 
(above), was born Aug. 2, 1856, 
in Acushnet and was educated in 
the public schools. Mr. Russell 
engaged in the grocery business 
at Swift's corner Dec. 1. 1886, 
and on the 15th of the same 
month was commissioned Postmaster 
of Acushnet, the postoffice being in 
the store. He gave up the busines? 
and office in 1893. In 1892 he 
served as alderman in the New Bed- 
ford city government. He is a Jus- 
tice of the Peace, settles estates and 
has done clerical work in both 
National and Savings banks. For a 
number of years Mr. Russell has 
been the faithful and efficient secre- 
tary of the South Bristol Farmers' club. 
Acushnet avenue. 




ALLEN RUSSELL, J U. 



He resides at the homestead on 



343 



ABRAM SHERMAN, JR. 



SHERMAN, ABRA:\[. JR., was b. in Acushnet April 4, 1777. He was a 
descendant of Philip Sherman of the present town of Dartmonth and 
son of Abram and Peace (dan. of Thomas and Ruth (Bennett) Tabor) 
Sherman. After attending the i)iiblic schools in his native town he served 
an apprenticeship at the printing business in New Bedford. A little later 
he commenced the pul)lication of a weekly newspaper called the Columbian 
Record, of wliidi the first number was issued Dec. 8, 1798. This was 
the .second newspaper published in New Bedford, the first one being the 
^ledley, of which the proprietor was John Spooner of whom ]Mr. Sherman 
learned his trade. In early life he became a useful member of the Society 
of Friends. For thirty years he w^as engaged in business as a bookseller. 
His store was on the northeast corner of Union and Water streets. He 
was a writer of both prose and poetry, and gathered much material in 
relation to the early history of this locality. By his will he established 
two funds, the income of one to be devoted to charitable, and the other 
to educational purposes. He died Dec. 26. 1847. 



CAPT. WILLIAM IRVING SHOCKLEY 



SHOCKLEY, CAPT. WH.BIAIM 

IRVING, son of Capt. Humphrey 

Alden, and Hannah Grey (Wilson) 

Shockley, was 1). at Fall River. Juno 

26, 1855, and educated in the public 

schools there. Humphrey was s. of 

Capt. Joseph and Mary (Alden) 

Shockley, and ^NFary was a direct 

descendant of John and Priscilla 

Alden. William Irving shipped in the 

whaler Louisa at the age of 16 and 

a year later was promoted to boat- 

steerer. He went as 3d mate of the 

Charles W. Morgan in 1878; then a 

vovage in the Bounding Billow, and 

as first officer in the Fleetwing. 

His subsequent voyages were as mas- '''""''■ •^>- '^'- ^- ''^^'' ^'^- ^""'"-^ 

ter ; in the Fleetwing, Jacob A. How- capt. william irving shockley 




344 



land. James Allen, Tamerlane, Canton, Sunbeam, and now sperm whal- 
ing in the bark Wanderer. Capt. Shockley has been a so-called lucky 
whaleman. His largest Arctic catch for the length of the voyage was in 
the Tamerlane, amounting to 11 whales, which produced 13,800 pounds of 
bone and 1,300 barrels of oil. Bone was worth at that time $4.00 per 
pound. His wife was with him two voyages. In February, 1889, he pur- 
chased the estate formerly owned by Capt. Henry Packard, east side of 
Long Plain road, a few rods north of Parting Ways. Capt. Shockley m. 
Dec. 4, 1884, Phebe Gilford, dau. Abiathar (son of Jacob and Hannah 
Weaver), and wife Emily Ann (dau. Alden and Emily A. Reed) Poole 
of North Dartmouth. They have one son. Bernard William Shockley, b. at 
Dartmouth Oct. 18, 1885. 



CALEB SLADE 



SLADE. CALEB, son of Peter D. 
(who was s. of Caleb and Hannah 
(Davis) of Dartmouth and Sarah 
B. (Briggs) Slade, was b. March 11, 
1852, at the homestead at Long 
Plain. Caleb and Hannah had six 
children, of whom IMary m. William 
Barker, Jr., of Smith Mills, whose 
dau. Mary E. m. Capt. Alden T. Pot- 
ter ; Hannah m. Charles F. Morton of 
Fairhaven ; Benjamin, a resident of 
this town. Mr. Slade was educated 
in the public schools at Long Plain, 
Friends' School at Providence, R. I., 
and Bridgewater Normal school. 
He began teaching in 1871 and 
continued in this nearly six years 
at Dartmouth, at Westport and 
Mattapoisett high schools, and Acush- 
net grammar school. He conducted 
a grocery and dry goods store at Long Plain from 1877 till 1889. In this 
period he was Town Clerk, Treasurer and Collector of Taxes 7 years, 
School Committee and Postmaster 9 years. In 1889 he built the block 




CALEB SLADE 



345 

southeast corner of Coggeshall street and Acuslmet avenue, New Bedford, 
where he was engaged in the grocery business 10 years. In 1899 he was 
made secretary and treasurer of the Attleboro Savings and Loan Associa- 
tion, which position he has filled Avith ability and fidelity continuously 
to the present time. Mr. Slade m. July 31, 1873, Abbie J., dau. of Joshua 
Morse (see elsewhere) of Acushnet. Children: (1) Emerson Augustus, b. 
Oct. 11, 1876; educated in the public schools and Friends' School, Provi- 
dence, R. I. ; now with a jewelry manufacturing company at Attleboro ; 
m. Alice Reynolds of Acushnet. (2) Caleb Arnold, b. Aug. 2, 1882; edu- 
cated in i)ub]ic schools of Xcav Bedford and Brown University. 

SPOONER FAMILY 



The Si)ooners of Acushnet are lijieal descendants of William of 
Colchester. England, wlio avhs in Plymouth ;is ojirly as 1637. He came 
to Acushnet al)out 1660. Here lie and his sons hehl large tracts of land. 
They are among the 56 persons named in the confirmatory deed of Old 
Dartmouth by Governor Bradford. It is elaimed on good authority that 
he built the first Avindmill in this locality for grinding corn. The writer 
is of the oi)inioii that his log ca])iji and luili were situated on top of the 
iiill on the west side of Fairhaven road. lie was industrious and frugal; 
accumulated a competence; "was sober and !)eacal)le in conversation and 
orthodox in the fundamentals of religion." William 's^ son John^ resided 
iu)rthea.st of the village. His son Lieut. William- lived on or near the 
Philip A. Bradford estate, and his son SamueP inherited the homestead 
that extended from Slocum road to the brook at the south, and from the 
river a mile or nu:>re easterly across Fairhaven road. Samuel^, the ances- 
tor of many of the Acushnet Spooners, was prominent in civil and religious 
affairs. He held several town offices, including Constable and Tax Col- 
lector. In his will he chai-iicd his sons to be kind to their "Honoured 
Mother and supply lier Needs." thus at the last entreating them to fulfil 
the fifth Divine commandment . Three of the sons of SamueP settled in this 
town and many of their descendants attained positions of prominence 
here. They were AVilliam-"', Samuel", who inherited from his father a 
large tract of land which was the southeast part of the homestead. On 
this Samuel" built a house in which he ahvays lived. Samuel" conveyed 
this property by a deed of gift to his son Elnathan^, who gave it to his 
son Thomas^. Thomas^ willed it to Lemuel, a son of his brother Seth^, 
who occupied it till his death in 1855, when it came into possession of 
Edward G. Dillingham after having been held by this line of Spooners 
about two centuries. A sketch of another son, Seth^, is given below. 



346 
SETH SPOONER 

SPOONER, SETH, son of Samuel (above) was b. in 1695 at the Spooner 
home near Parting Ways. He learned the weaver's trade and lived on 
his father's farm which he inherited but lost by endorsing the note of a 
snbsequent bankrupt. In 1741 he purchased a farm of Joseph Taber, Jr., 
in Avhich was only one acre of cleared land, situated north of Long Plain, 
where he lived for many years in a log cabin. This place has been owned 
by his descendants to the present time. Here he was a farmer and trader ; 
a man of usefulness and highly esteemed in the town, where he held many 
offices. He was the only son of his parents, thereby preserving this 
branch of the name from extermination. Seth m. in 1719 Rose Clark and 
had Walter and two daughters. He d. in 1787 and is said to have been 
the first laid in the Friends' burying ground at Long Plain. 



HON. WALTER SPOONER 



SPOONER, HON. WALTER, son of Seth (above) was b. in the primitive 
home at Parting Ways. His educational advantages must have been 
very meagre. His later career indicates that he was blessed with an 
abundance of native good sense, industry and perseverance. He helped 
his father erect the log cabin for the family where the new home 
was established north of Long Plain, He commenced a long and useful 
public career in 1759, when he was chosen a Selectman of Old Dartmouth, 
which office he held for 13 consecutive years, and many subsequent terms. 
He was nine velars a Representative of the General Court from 1761; for 
17 years a member of the Govoi-nor's Council, from 1770, covering the 
strenuous period of the Revolutionary war, when his superior judgment 
was in constant demand. He sat in the Convention which framed the 
constitution of this state. In 1781 Gov. Hancock manifested a just appre- 
ciation of his remarkable judicial ability by a]i]iointing him Chief Justice 
of the Court of Common Pleas of this county. Judge Spooner was a 
patriot and statesman. He died in 1803 at his home in this town aged 82 
years. A long time and intimate political associate said of him: "After 
Samuel Adams Judge Spooner was the most clear headed, far-seeing man 
I ever knew." Judge Spooner m. in 1748 Althea Sprague and they 
had two sons, Alden (below) and Seth. It would require pages to relate 



347 

the eminent services he faithfully rendered his town, state and nation. 
It was largely through the efforts of Walter Spooner that Thomas Kemp- 
ton of New Bedford attained the prominence he did in the military forces 
of the Revolutionary war. Mr. Spooner was in Boston aiding in the work 
of recruiting the army. He knew the merits of his friend Kempton, who 
had been a brave and successful master mariner, and an efficient "ensign 
of the first malitia foot company of Dartmouth." Mr. Spooner dispatched 
a messenger to Capt. Kempton with a request that he organize a company 
at once of which he was to be the commander. The messenger found him 
at work on the coiistruction of his house which is now the second house 
north of Hillman street on tlie east side of Thomas street in New Bedford. 
He dropj)ed his implements and his active war record commenced at once. 
In his com])any numbering 45 men on the 21st of April, 1775, were 3 
corporals, 3 privates and a drummer named Spooner, also Lettice Wash- 
burn jiiid others of this town. Capt. Kempton made such a fine record 
that -Mr. Spooiici- rcjidily sccnred his [u-omotion. lie wrote the Captain 
Jan. 24, 177(). that he had been appointed a "Lieut. Colo," and added: 
"I wish your conduct nuiy answer the expectation of your friends as in 
youi' ap])oin1n)eiit 1 have talvcn no small i)art." 



LIEUT. GOV. PAUL SPOONER 



SPOONER. PAl'IJ. .son of Daniel"', (Samuel-, William^) and Elizabeth 
(Ruggles) Spooner was b. in Acushnet March 20, 1746. The homestead 
of Samuel^ consisting of 104 <ieres was bounded on the north by the road 
that passes east and M'est through the village and extended from the river 
eastward. Here Daniel^ and Paul^ were born. The family moved to New 
II;imi)sliii-e in Paul's boyhood. There he was a physician in 1768. He 
became interested in polities, aiding the cause of the Whigs and held 
many honorable [jositions through the Revolution. In 1782 he was chosen 
Lieutenant Governor and held the position for five consecutive years. He 
was a man of fine ability and his private and ])ublic life received the 
commendation of all who knew him. He d. Sej)!. 5. 1789. 



348 
ALDEN SPOONER 



SPOONER, ALDEN5, son of Walter^ was b. in 1750, at the home above 
Long Plain which he inherited and on which he bnilt the house now 
standing in the same door-yard where his grandfather's log house stood. 
Appreciating the value of a liberal education his father gave his son 
unusual advantages in this regard and he entered life equipped for its 
duties. He worked the home farm but was almost constantly in town 
oiifice after he reached manhood. He was a Justice of the Peace many 
years and served in both branches of the State Legislature. Mr. Spooner 
m. Elizabeth Rounseville and had five children. 



JOHN SPOONER 



SPOONER, J0HN6, son of John^ (Thomas^ John^ John-, Williami) and 
Lydia (Alden) Spooner, was b. Sept. 7, 1770. He was of Acushnet stock. 
The house of John^ was on thelMattapoisett road. The subject of this sketch 
was fatherless when he was but three years of age and became an orphan 
two years later. He was fond of study, gained an education, and possessed 
industry and thrift. He learned the printer's trade and at the age 
of 22 was the editor and publisher of the first newspaper printed in New 
Bedford, Mass. It was called the Medley or New Bedford Marine 
Journal. The first number was issued Tuesday, Nov. 27, 1792. Editor 
Spooner 's office, he states, was near Rotch's wharf. His opening editorial 
concludes with the following paragraph: "The editor flatters himself 
that so long as his exertions tend to scatter the rays of knowledge, or 
morality and refinement among the people, the pul)lic will afford him 
every reasonable encouragement, in proportion to the utility of his exer- 
tions. John Spooner." This was a weekly paper. It was succeeded in 
1799 by the Columbian Courier, edited and published by Abraham Sher- 
man, Jr., also of Acushnet, to whom Mr. Spooner sold his newspaper and 
printing business. John Spooner in connection with newspaper work, 
kept a supply of books and stationery. These, he advertised, "will be 
given in exchange for clean cotton or linen rags, old sail cloth or junk." 
He also announced that he would "receive of country customers any kind 
of produce or wood in p;i\inent for newspapers." He continued in this 
business after he gave up liis newspaper work. A literary friend of Mr. 
Spooner pays him this tribute: "]\Iay the principles of morality and 
refinement thou endeavorest to inculcate be ever remembered by thy 
fraternity and the public peace to thy memory!" He died Aug. 18, 1810. 



349 



HON. NATHANIEL SPRAGUE SPOONER 




SPOONEK, HON. NATHANIEL 
SPRAGUE, son of Seth and g-. son 
of Judge Walter Spooner (above), 
was b. in 1790. His f. Seth was a 
man of a fine mind, intelligent, well 
educated and of good practical com- 
mon sense, so helpful in making a 
success in life. He held various town 
offices and was a member of the Gen- 
eral Court many years. Nathaniel 
S. was given the liest education that 
could be obtained in New Bedford 
and inheriting a jiidicia] mind chosc^ 
Ihc legal profession Foi' his life work. 
Gradual inu' fi'oiu Brown ["niversity 
he became a law student with ,\l)i-a- 
ham Holmes, Esq., at Rochester. As"ON. Nathaniel sprague spooner 
soon as lie was admitted to the bar 

he opened an office in the village but his practice soon extended to the 
courts at New Bedford, and about 1817 he moved there but returned in 
a year and evei' after resided in his house northeast of the bridge on the 
north side of the street. His office was a building on a lot adjoining the 
})resent town house lot. He was an able and i)roiiiinent lawyer and had 
a large ])!-actiee as a eounseller. foi- which he was more iu)ted and suc- 
cessful than as an advocate. He was an unassuming man and shrank from 
public office and notoriety except when duty was involved. However, 
through the insistency of his townsmen who appreciated his ability, strong 
integritv and entire reliabilitv he served in various town offices and in the 
House of Representatives. He was a judge of the police court many 
years, giving marked satisfaction. Judge Spooner also possessed strong 
religious convictions and was a loyal member of the Congregational So- 
ciety at Lund's corner, where he was highly respected and beloved. He 
died at his home in 1860. Judge Spooner m. Sophia Howard of West 
Bridgewater in 1812. They had two children: ]\Iartha Howard and 
Mary Sprague. Martha H. was never married and always lived in the 
old home. She was an active member of the Congregational church at 
Lund's corner and well known for her interest in religious, charitable 
and philanthropic movements, and having inherited considerable property 
she contributed liberally to them. Among her benefactions was the gift 
of a parsonage to the Congregational society at Lund's corner. 



350 



ROUNSEVILLE SPOONER 



SPOONP]R, ROUNSEVILLE^, son of Aldeir- (above) was b. in New Bed- 
ford, now Acushnet, April 23, 1778. He m. 1st in 1799 Elizabeth Pope, 
who lived only a year after their marriage ; he m. 2nd Susan Eliot April 25, 
1802. They had Ch. : (1) Edward Pope', b. March 22, 1803, d. Oct. 11, 
1877; (2) Walter' (below). Rounseville Spooner was a physician with 
an extensive country practice, he being the only member of the medical 
profession within some distance of Long Plain, where he resided. His 
wife Susan was interested in starting the first Sunday school in the village 
of Long Plain. This was held in a schoolhouse and at the beginning 
there were but five or six scholars. As time went by the faithful work 
was rewarded by increased interest and larger attendance at the school, 
which was continued for years. Dr. Spooner d. March 17, 1844. 



WALTER SPOONER 



SPOONER, WALTER', son of 
Rounseville^ (Alden^, Walter 4. 
Seth^, Sanniel-. William^) and Susan 
(Eliot) Spooner, was 1). in New Bed- 
ford, now Acushnet, Oct. 17, 1814, 
and was educated in the schools of 
liis native place. He made several 
whaling voyages and was in business 
in Savannah, Georgia, for a period 
of ten years. About 1844 Mr. Spooner 
returned and made his home in 
Acushnet until the time of his death. 
He served the town as Selectman 
and School Committee and was 
sent as Representative to the State 
Legislature in 1870 and '71. He m. 
May 17, 1845, Susan Greenleaf Pope, 
dau. of Col. Edward Pope, who lived 
on Popes island. New Bedford. Her g. father Judge Edward Pope was 
the first collector of customs in that city. They had one child, Walter 
Rounseville (below). Mr. Spooner joined the Order of Druids in the 
South and was a member of the I. 0. 0. F. He d. March 23, 1887. His 
widow is still living and her home is with their son. 




WALTER SPOONER 



351 
WALTER ROUNSEVILLE SPOONER 



SPOONER. WALTER ROUNSEVILLE^, son of Walter^ (above) and 
Susan G. (Pope) Spooner, was I), in Fairhaven, now Acnshnet, Oet. 26, 
1847, and was educated in the i)ublic schools of his native town. He 
learned the trade of a wheelwright and was in that lousiness for a 
number of years. For over thirty-one years Mr. Spooner has served the 
county as Deputy Sheriff. There are only two now living in Bristol 
county who have held this office longer and they were appointed a short 
time previous to him, all having received their ap})ointment under Sheriff 
Cobb of New Bedford. Mr. Spooner m. Oct. 18, 1886, Isabelle L. Ashley' 
of East Freetown. They have children (1) Susan Pope, b. in Acushnet 
Sept. 11, 1887; (2) Walter Rounseville, b. in Acushnet April 10, 1889; (3) 
Eliot A., b. in Acushnet May 12, 1891 ; (1) Philena L. b. in New Bedford 
April 26, 1894. In 1905, ]Mr. Spooner purchased the house in Acushnet 
village where the family now reside. It is an interesting fact that the 
house where ]\Ir. Spoonei", his father, and his g. father were born ( a 
])icture of which is given on page 43) has stood in four diff'erent towns 
and has never been moved from the same foundation. 



JIREH SWIFT 



SWIFT, .JIREII. son of Jirdi and Kli/alx'th (Hathaway) Swift, was born 
at Acnshnet ^larch 7, ISO!). He hcuan his l)usiness career there with 
Obed and (Jideon Xyc. his falhcr going out (»f the firm of Swift <& Nye 
when lie was adniitled in 1830. Thvy did a general merchandise business. 
In 1842 he, with Frederick S. Allen, under the name of Swift & Allen, 
started in the sliip chandlery and whaling business in Parker's block at 
the foot of Middle street, remaining there for 25 years, when they removed 
their office to Taber's wharf. At one time Swift & Allen were among the 
largest agents and owners of whaleships in the city. The firm was dis- 
solved in 1894. ]\Ir. Swift was a director in the Mechanics National bank 
for 47 years; also a director in the Pacific Insurance Co., Commercial 
Insurance Co., Mutual Marine Insurance Co., New Bedford Copper 
Works and Ihe Gosnold mills. He was president .of the Board of Trade 
from 188() to 1888 and i)resident of the Port society for 12 years. Mr. 
Swift took a lively interest in politics, but had no desire for public office. 
He moved from Acushnet to New Bedford in 1864, where he died at the 
advanced age of 96. He was a man honored and respected for his sterling 
qualities of character. 



352 



RHODOLPHUS NYE SWIFT 



SWIFT. RHODOLPHUS NYE, was 
the soil of Reuben E. (William, Wil- 
liam, William, . William) and Jane, 
(lau. of Obed Nye of Acushnet, to 
whom he was m. March 24, 1808. 
Reuben E. was born in Falmouth, 
Mass., and moved to Acushnet early 
in life, where he was a cabinet maker. 
He met an untimely death in 1843 by 
fallino- from a hay mow. Rliodol- 
phus N. was born at Acushnet Nov. 
20. 1810. He passed two years of his 
boyhood in the south with his father 
and Uncle Eli,jah, who established 
the live oak trade there which be- 
came a large and lucrative business. 
He left this occupation at the age of 
17 and began life as a whaleman on 
the l)ark Canton, lie was engaged in this business for 16 years, eight 
of Mdiich he was master of the Lancaster. Then he abandoned the sea 
and returned to the live oak trade. This Avas chiefly confined to Florida 
where the company bought large tracts of live oak land from which they 
cut timber for the government on a contract. This contract business 
was kept up at intervals for 50 years until 1875, with a few years inter- 
mission during the war. "The Swifts' live oak" was always at a pre- 
mium. Later Mr. S-wift was interested with his brother, William C. N., in 
the whaling business. His home in Acushnet village was always an 
attractive feature of the place. He married in 1838 Sylvia HathaAvay, 
dau. of Gideon and Sylvia (Hathaway) Nye of this town. Their children 
were Rhodoli)lius, Rupert G. N., Clement Nye (see else-\vhere), Annie D., 
Clara G., Henry T. 




RHODOLPHUS NYE SWIFT 



353 



WILLIAM COLE NYE SWIFT 




WlLl^IAM COLE NYE SWIET 



SWIFT, WILLIAM COLE NYE, son 
of Reuben E. (see above), was born 
on the Nye farm in Aeushnet, Aj^ril 
27, 1815. Mr. Swift was edncated 
in private and aeademic seliools in 
New Bedford. At the aue of Ki lie 
entered Hi'own I'nivcrsity. bnt on 
aeconni iif ill health was obliged lo 
leave th-ere near the end of his 
sophomore year. lie then beuan in 
NeM^ Bedford his hmii and sueeessfnl 
business eareei- as assistant book- 
keeper in the eountinii' room of l^en- 
jamin Rodman. He was soon ])ro- 
moted to head bookkeeper, in which 
capacity he remained till 1835, when 

his father offered him a partnership in the firm of E. & R. Swift & Co., 
engaged in the business of buying, cutting and shipping live oak ship 
timber. He commenced his active labor in this business in superintend- 
ing the woi-k at Ossabaer Island on the coast of (Jeorgia. He 
soon became the purchasing partner of the concern and was considered 
an exjjcrt on the value of this timl)er and the forests which produced it. 
]\Ir. Swift had a narrow escape from death in June, 1838. as a passenger 
on the ill fated steamer Pulaski which was blown up by the explosion of 
one of her boilers. He became financially interested in whaling 
vessels previous to 1843 and his investments increased in them as the 
years went by. His ship])ing business was enlarged in 1849, when 
his father-in-law. Jireh Perr>', wlio owned extensively in whaleships, died 
and INIr. Swift engaged in the management of Mr. Perry's large estate. 
He was in Europe several times between 1845 and 1855 and contracted 
somewhat with the English government for shipbuilding material. Mr. 
Swift was highly este(Miied for his uprightness, energy, excellent judgment 
and gentlemanly hearing. He m. June 15, 1847, Eliza Nye Perry, dau. 
of Jireh and Nancy Nye Perry of New Bedford. Her father was exten- 
sively engaged in the whaling business all liis life and accunnilated a large 



'354 

fortune. Children: (1) Mary Rodman, h. in Paris June, 1848, d. at age 
of 2% years; (2) Henry W., 1). in New Bedford Dec. 17, 1849, lawyer in 
Boston, Mass. ; (3) Frederick, b. in New Bedford Dec. 12, 1852, president 
and manager of Car Wheel company, Boston ; m. Jul}^, 1876, Sarah R. 
Rotch; (4) William N., b. in New Bedford Aug. 1, 1854, physician, m. 
February, 1881, Anna Hathaway; (5) Franklin, b. July 31, 1857, in South 
Dartmouth, lieutenant in the U. S. navy, m. June 15, 1894, in Washington. 
Louise Meyer, d. at Charleston, S. C, Nov. 10, 1905; (6) Elise, b. in New 
Bedford Dec. 9, 1859, unmarried. 



HUMPHREY HATHAWAY SWIFT 



SWIFT, HUJMPHREY HATHAWAY, was lioni in Acushnet village Nov. 
30, 1819. He is the son of Jireh^ (Jireh^, Jireh, Jr., Jireh, Sr., William 
Jr., William, Sr.) and Elizabeth, dan. of Stephen and Abigail (Hathaway) 
Swift. Jireh, Jr.. came with his family to Acushnet from Sandwich. 
Jireh'^ was a INIinute man from Acushnet in the Revolutionary war. ]Mr. 
Swift received his education principally at Paul Wing's school in Sand- 
wich, and later prepared for a college course, but before entering upon it 
decided to engage in mercantile pursuits. In 1841 he engaged as clerk 
in an American exportnig house at Pernambuco, Brazil, of which he was 
a partner in 1847. and later being the head of the business, with which he 
continued until 1879. Meantime he established a business in New York 
in 1860. which he actively conducted until 1886. During the war he leni. 
to the government valual)]e service as a resident at Pernam})n('(), and later 
was appointed American Consul at that place, which post he held until 
his return to his native land. He was actively interested in tlie Anti- 
Slavery movement and other public matters of Brazil. He was interested 
in a line of coast steamers, established the first tug boat service in Brazil, 
and financed th(^ laying of the street railway service in Pernambuco. In 
recognition of his i)rominence in connection with tlu^se enterprises, the 
Emperor of Brazil decorated him in 1868 a Knight of the Order of the 
Rose "for valuable services rendered to Brazil." Mr. Swift was married 
first in 1846 to Jane Elizabeth, dau. of Alfred Gibbs of New Bedford. 
She died in 1851, leaving three children : Alfred Gibbs and Tlu>nuis Nye, 
both deceased, and Jennie Gibbs, now widow of Edmund Grinnell of 
New Bedford. In 1865 he married Bertha, dan. of Dr. Robert Wessel- 
hoeft, who came to America about 1841. Their children are BertTia. 
Wesselhoeft, Annie Hathaway, who married Dr. Charles B. Gulick, 
Humphrey Hathaway, Jr., Robert Wesselhoeft and Ruth. 



355 



CLEMENT NYE SWIFT 




CLEMENT NYE SWIFT 



SWIFT, CLEI\IP:NT NYE, son of 
Rhodolphus Nye and Sylvia Hath- 
away (Nye) Swift (above), was b. 
in Acushnet. ^Ir. Swift was m pupil 
at Friends' Academy. His early in- 
clination was towards animal paint- 
ing', and he applied to the artist 
Hinckley of Boston for instruction. 
Tliis artist did not desire a i)upil. hut 
strongly advised going to France, 
for at that time the advantages for 
l)i-eliniinary instruction at present 
so numerous and adequate, were 
almost totfdly wanting. In France 
he began copying in the galleries of 
the Louvre, Luxemburg, drawing in 
the Ecole des Beaux Arts, and in 
the studio of M. Adolpli Yvon. 

Later lie Ix'CcUne a pupil of tln^ celebi-ated landscape painter, M. Henri 
Harpignies and a I'egular yearly exhibitor at the French Salon. Mr. 
Swift went to Pont Aveu, Brittany, and remained during the winter of 
1870. while the French and Prussian war was in prcrgress, and becoming 
interested by the artistic resources of the region, decided to make it his 
head(iuarter's. Here he found much congenial society and formed one of 
the groiup of artists, all of whom have become well known, among them 
being Robert Wylie. H. Bolton Jones, Frank Jones, Burr Nicholls, Thomas 
Hovenden and AY. L. Picknell. It was in Brittany that he painted all of 
the largest and most important pictures exhibited in France and after- 
Avards in New York and other American exhibitions. Among this group 
"Wreckers." representing wreckers lying-in wait for a vessel which 
is drifting to the shore. This picture when sent to Paris elicited by 
return post a letter of congratulation from his master — HarpignieS. 
Some years later the artist had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with 
Julian Le Blaut. a French painter of much celebrity, who has gained a 
reputation in i)ainting Breton subjects, who told Mr. Swift that his 
decision to go to Brittany was made upon seeing this picture of 
"Wreckers." Others which resulted from the stay in Brittany are "The 
Waif," where peasants are loading a long mast on a cart; "Loading a 



356 



Sand Boat," chosen for reproduction in the illustrated catalogue of the 
New York Academy's exhibition of 1882, and "Completing- the Cargo," 
hung on the line in the Salon in 1880. It represents a vessel aground on 
the flats, being loaded with sacks of potatoes from ox-carts which have 
forded across from the distant shore. American subjects, painted since 
his return to Acushnet. have been exhibited in the New York Academy, 
Boston Art Club, at Detroit and in other exhibitions. One strongly real- 
istic subject, depicting a death struggle between two large turtles, was 
exhibited in the lecture room of the New Aquarium in New York. Mr. 
Swift m. in 1895 Annie Amelie Nye, dau. of Thomas Schuyler Hathaway 
Nye and Annie Deblois, a descendant of the Oxford Huguenot family. 
Mr. and Mrs. Swift reside at the Swift homestead. 



CAPTAIN JACOB TABER 



TABER, CAPT. JACOB, son of Jo 

seph (Jacob, Stephen ;ind Phebe 
(Ashley) Taber was b. Aug. 13, 1813, 
in the house on Morse's lane built hv 
his great grandfather, in which 
his grandfather and great grand- 
father lived. Capt. Taber m. 
April 16, 1840. Hannah M. Black- 
mer of Acushnet. Children: (1) 
Lucy .M. m. John S. Perry of New 
Bedford; (2) Clara P. m. Horace A. 
Lawton of C. H. & H. A. Lawton of 
New Bedford: (3) Alice R. m. Clar- 
ence Hathaway of Fall River. Capt. 
Taber began life as a whaleman at 
the age of 19 on the South Boston 
of Fairhaven. The following is a 
brief record of his many voyages. 
Ship ^larcia from 1833 to 1838, 
James Monroe and Arab, master of ship Condor in 1846, Chandler Price, 
Abigail, Northern Light, and last in the Three Brothers, which arrived 
home Aug. 0, 1869. He was a typical master of whaling vessels, and 
remarkably successful. He never had a mutiny, never sustained 
a personal injury, never lost a vessel nor was in distress. His 
total catch was 850 barrels of sperm oil ; 1,700 barrels of whale oil and 
270,000 pounds of bone. The catch of one of his voyages brought 
$105,000 to the owners. 




CAPT. JACOB TABER 



357 

PARDON TABER 

TABER, PARDON, b. Nov. 11, 1790, and wife Cynthia, b. Nov. 10, 1791 
had children (1) Pardon Taber. Jr.. 1). Aug. 28. 1817; (2) George, b. June 
19, 1819: (-3) Cynthia Ann. b. Feb. 11, 1823; (4) Lucinda, b. Jan 28, 1825: 
(5) Henry day. b. April 21. 1827: (B) Humphrey Stetson, b. Jan. 29. 1829 

CAPT. PARDON TABER, JR. 



TABER, CAPT. PARDON, JR., son of Pardon (above) was b. in Acushnet 
Aug. 28, 1817. He was educated in the public schools of his native town 
At the age of fourteen he began a seafaring life, which he followed for 
many years, making whaling voyages to the Pacific. The following is a 
list of his voyages from 1841 to 1859: Oct. '41-June '45, 3 yrs. ly^, mos., 
Ann Alexander, 1,700 bbls. sperm oil : Oct. '45-July '48, George and Susan, 
2 yrs. 9 mos., 2.()24 bbls. whale oil, 168 bbls. sperm oil, 25,000 lbs. bone : May 
'49-June '53, Rosseau, 4 yrs. 23 days, 1;100 bbls. sperm oil, 350 bbls. whale 
oil, 5,000 ihs. hone ; Ang. '56-June '59. for J. B. Wood & Co.. 2 yrs. 10 mos., 
1,500 1)1. Is. sperm oil. ;]00 bbls. humpback, 50 bbls. black tish and 1,850 lbs. 
bone. Aftei- retiring from the sea Capt. Taber resided on his farm in 
Acushnet on the Long IMaiii i-oad. He filled positions of trust in th(^ town 
for manv years. From 1864 to 1884 he was Selectman, Assessor and 
Overseer of Ihi' Poor. Fi-om 1875 to 1884 he was chairman of the Board 
of Selectmen. He was a man trnsted and highly esteemed. He m. Sept. 
28, 1848, Betsey Rnssell Xye. b. Dec. 31, 1828. They had Ch. (1) Pardon 
A.. 1). Jnly 30, 1849, d. Jan. 10, 1864: (2) Betsey N., b. July 2. 1856, d. 
Oct. 9, 1863; (3) Henry F. (see elsewhere) : (4) Carrie 1., b. Dec. 21, 1862; 
(5) Bessie E., b. .May 18, 1865: (6) John P., b. June 28. 1868: (7) Grace 
A., b. Oct. 25, 1871. 

JABEZ HATHAWAY TABER 



TABER. JAHEZ HATHAWAY, son of Jabez Taber, was b. in Acushnei; 
September, 1823. He was educated in the ])ublic schools of his native 
town. When tint a boy he went a whaling voyage with Capt. Isaiah 
West bnt later chose farming as an occu])ation. He m. Phebe T. Taber. 
(lau. Thomas Potter of Acushnet. Ch. : (1) Emma Francis, b. Acushnet 
April 10, 1849. d. Jan. 6, 1861: (2) Addie Elizabeth. 1). in Acushnet July 
14. 1851. (1. Jan. 28. 1890; m. Capt. Sylvanus B. Potter of Dartnumth. Ch. : 
(irace E., b. Bay of Islaiuls. New Zealand, July 2, 1886: William Gardner, 
1). June 17. 1857: (3) Emma Frances, b. June 11, 1861; m. 1st Frederick 
Lapoint, 1883: 2nd Capt. John Maclnnis, 1899: 3d Joseph C. Matthews. 
1905: (4) CJeorge Smith Taber. 1). Sei)t. 1. 1859. All born in Acushnet. 
Mr. Taber d. Dec. 4, 1897. 



358 



GEORGE SMITH TABER 




GEORGE SMITH TABER 



TAliEK, GEORGE SMITH, sou of 
Jabez H. (above), was b. in Acushnet 
Sept. 1, 1859. He was educated at the 
Perry Hill school and resided in the 
town of Acushnet until the age of 17, 
when he moved to New Bedford 
and has resided there to the present 
time. Since April 23, 1877, he has 
carricMl on the business of a provision 
merchant. Mr. Taber is a member 
of tlic Christian Science church. He 
m. Alice B. Manchester of Dart- 
mouth. Ch. : Ray Beauvais, b. July 
1, 1884; Florence Barton, b. Feb. 12, 
1893. Both b. in New Bedford. 



WILLIAM GARDNER TABER 



TABER, WILLIA]\[ GARDNER 
eldest son of Jabez Hathaway Taber 

(above), w;is 1). in Acushnet June 
17, 1857, Mild was edTieated in the 
school at Perry Hill. He began the 
life of a whaleman June, 1877. His 
first voyage was in the bark (ieorgs 
& Mary, Ca])t;iiii Chaee. He after- 
wards sailed in the Andrew Hicks. 
Capt. Hicks, and as 3d mate in tin; 
Reindeer, Capt. Baker, returning on 
the Bartholomew Gosnold. CVipt. 
Hammond, as second officer. On the 
last voyage he was gone five years. 
Since retiring from a s(^afaring life 
he has been engaged in lumber, ice 
and real estate business. Mr. Taber 
m. Nov. 25, 1886, May Louise, dau. 




Pluitd liy .Tames E. Reed, New Bedford 
WILLIAM GARDNER TABER 



359 

George P. Morse (see elsewhere). They have ch. (1) Clarence E., b. 
Sept. 15. 1887; (2) Gardner W.. b. March 30, 1891; (3) Mason M., b. 
Nov. 28 1898; (4) :\ri]ton L.. b. Jan. 9. 1901; (5) Mildred L., b. March 9, 
1903. 



HENRY F. TABER 



TABER. HENRY P.. son of (^apt 
Pardon. .)r. (see clscwhci'c). was 
b. in Acnslinet. April 15. 1860. 
He rc^ooived his education in 
the public schools oi' the town. 
Ue lu.. May 3(l. 1882. Coi-a E. 
dan. ot" Gapl. Ste|)heu llatluiwny 
(see elsewhere.) They have eh; (1' 
Emma E. b. Sept. 12. 1884; (2) Har- 
old E. b. April 10. 18S(i; (3) Pai-dou 
b. Miwrh 31. 1888; (4) Ruth II. h. 
Nov. 1. 189H. Mr. Tnbei- owns ;iii(l 
resides iu the old houieslejid. which 
has l)eeu owued by his ralhei-. (';ipt. 
Pai-don, -Jr., his y. father I'ardou and 
his g. g. father Tlumphrey, and is 
engaged in fariuiuL;-. Tie is active 
in town affairs and lias served as 

Select in;in. Assessor and Overseer of the Poor since April, 1889, and since 
1901 has Ix^eii chairin;in of the hojird. At tlw ])i-eseiit time he is r(^i)re- 
sentative in the .Mjissachusetts legishdui'O. 




I'hoto. I.y .Jus. E. Ki'od. Nuw lit'iUord 

HENRY F. TABER 



360 



ELIAS TERRY 




ELIAS TERRY 



TERRY, ELIAS, was born in Aciish- 
iiet. JMn. 24. 1830, opposite the Wil- 
liam Bi'dwiiell estate at Perry Hill. 
He was a son of Benjamin and Alice 
(Weaver) Terry. The family re- 
moved to New Bedford when Mr. 
Terry was a ehild, where he was edu- 
cated in the pul)lic schools, o'l-aduat- 
ing' from the Higfh School. He sul)- 
seqnentl\' taii^iht school. Later, in 
the California gold fever time, he 
spent two years in that state when 
he returned to New Bedfoi-d. He was employed for a time as foreman in 
the street department; then he was Assistant City jMarshal. After serv- 
ing as such a year he was promoted to Marshal, remaining in this 
capacity for a period of five years. The next three years he was Su- 
perintendent of Streets. During- the next seventeen years he was fore- 
man of the lumber yards of the Western Lumber Company, and Tilling- 
hast & Terry of New Bedford. He then established the lumber business 
with his son Kelley Clifton Terry, which continued for several years. 
In the year 1857 he married Susan Almy. daughter of Borden Howland 
of Dartmouth. Children (now living) : (1) Charles A. V. b. July 12, 
1851, m. Lucy M. Cushing of Somerville. Mass., Aug. 12, 1878: (2) K. 
Clifton b. April 23. 1858. m. Jennie Stewart King of New Bedford Jan 
29, 1888; (3) .Susan E. iV .Alay 28. 1862; (4) Alice P. b. July 4, 1866. 
Mr. Terry died Sept. 2, 1905. 



361 



ARNOLD G. TRIPP 




ARNOLD G. TRIPP 



TRIPP. ARNOLD G.. son of Stephen. 
Jr., was b. in Fairhaven. now Acnsh- 
net. May 10, 1818. His father, Ste 
phen. Jr., Avas b. in the same place, 
July 1-J. 1784. and d. in Fairhaven, 
:\lay ]n. 1S72. His g. father. Stephen 
Ti-ip]). was hoi-ii in Dartmouth, now 
Aenshnet. .Ma\ 4. 17.")(). d. in same 
l)lace. April H. 18;n. occnpation. 
farmer. His g. g. father. Samnel 
Tripp. Avas b. in Dartmonth. Sept. 29, 
1727. d. ill Aenshnet. .May 11. 1S24 
(K'('ni)ation. fai'iiici'. When a young 
man. Arnold (1. was apprenticed to 
a «'ai'p('n1('r at .Mai-ion, .Mass.. and 
after learning his ti-adc remained in 
the town several years going later to 
Falmouth a?i(l in 1844 to Nantucket 

where he assisted in building up the town after its severe fire, and from 
the island came to Fairhaven. On August 1. 1849. in company with a 
nnnd.er ot other Fairhaven men. he sailed on the ship Florida for Cali- 
fornia, arriving Jan. 1. 18:)0. Uut three of the party of pioneers are now 
living. .Mr. Tripp remained in Oalifornia alxnit 2 1-2 years returning to 
Fairhaxrn \\\ 1S.')2. Soon after his return he went south for a winter 
where he was engaged m building bridges over rivers and many of these 
Avere bni-ned by General Sherman in his march to the sea. With the ex- 
eeption of a fcAV months in the Titusville. Pa., oil fields and a short period 
in Troy. X. Y.. whei-e he was in the gi-ocery l)usiness Avith a nephew, Mr. 
Tripp has resided in Fairhaven for many years. Up to about 1870 he, 
in comi)any Avith the late Anselm G. Bourne, carried on the carpenter 
business in a shop which stood on ;Main street, opposite the Jethro 
Tabei- house. .Mr. Tripp assisted in l)uilding the Congregational church 
and the [Methodist church in Fairhaven and also erected a number of resi- 
dences. His last active employment Avas the building of the barn on the 
estate of H. II. Rogers and the residence of Mr. John S. Taber. William 
street. He served the toAvn as Selectman and was a prominent member 
of the Society of Friends. Mr. Tripp was of the sturdy New England 
type and until Avithin ;i very fcAV years of his death his life had been one 
of great activity. He m.. June. 1844, Susan T. dan. of Moses and Eliza- 
beth SAvift of West Falmouth, b. Feb. 10. 1820; ch.: Thomas A. Tripp b. 
in Fairhaven. Oct. 8, 1857. m. Lois E. Babcock of Wakefield, R. L 



362 



JEROME PLUMMER TRIPP, D. D. S. 



TRTPP. JEROME PLUMMER, D. D. 
S., son of Jerome^ Peckham and 
Marcia (Snell) Tripp, was b. in 
Rochester Nov. 26. 1869. He is from 
John Tripp, b. 1610 in Xorthnmber- 
land Co.. England; settled in Ports- 
inoutli. R. I., where he was for many 
years a member of the Town C'onneil. 
and elected Deputy of the General 
Assembly 18 times: the descent is 
John^. Joseph^, AbieP, Abiel^. Rn 
fns''. William''. Frederick^, Jerom*; 
P.^, Jerome P.^. His father with 
his family came to Acushnet in 1871 
and they have resided on his farm oh 
Perry Hill road to the present time. 
Here ^Ir. Tripp attended the town 
schools. 'and choosing for his life oc- 
cupation that of a dentist, attended Tufts Dental College, Boston, where 
he received the degree of D D. S. After his graduation he practiced 
his profession in New Bedford. Dr. Tripp m.. Nov. 24. 1898. Phebe 
Elizabeth, dan. of Gustavns L. (see elsewhere) and Sarah J. Bennett. 
They have children: (1) Raymond Plummer. b. Apr. 12. 1900; (2) 
Charles L. b. 1906. botli born in New Bedford. In the midst of his hopes 
and activities he died suddenly, of pneumonia. Jan. 1907. Dr. Tripp 
was regarded as very skilful in his profession, and his uprightness of 
character and genial disposition had earned him high respect. He was 
a inem])er of the ^Massachusetts Dental Society. 




Photo, by Jas. E. Ki'ud, Nc-%v I',.Mlt..ril. 

JEROME PLUMMER TRIPP, D. D. S. 



363 



BURRAGE Y. WARNER 

WARNER. BURRAGE Y., son of Joseph and Nabby (Buttrick) Warner, 
h. July 15, 1828, at Fairhaven. Vt., a descendant of William Warner 
in Ipswich in 1637, and of Joseph Warner, a captain in the 
Revolntionary War. Mr. Warner was engaged in the flour and grain 
business many years in New Bedford, and was one of the owners of the 
Eureka flour mills of that city. He became a resident of Acushnet in 
1868. where he was a farmer and lumber dealer. He was interested in 
the public affairs of the town, and held the office of School Committee 
several years. He rendered faithful service in the Civil War as sergeant 
of Co. A, 2nd I\Iass. Vol. Cavalry, in which he enlisted Oct. 2, 1861, and 
was honorably discharged June 15, 1862, for disability incurred in the 
service. Mr. Warner m. ^May. 1859. Sarah A., dau. of Simeon and Marcia 
(Ashley) Peirce of New Bedford. Children: (1) Milton B., (see below) ; 
(2) Sarah L. : (3) Mary L. ; (4) Alice H; Mr. W^arner held the esteem of 
his neighbors and townsmen. His death occurred at his home in Acushnet 
on Feb" 9, 1888. 

MILTON B. WARNER 



WARNER. MILTON B.. son of 
Burrage Y. Warner (see above), was 
b. at New Bedford Aug. 27, 1861. 
He came to Acushnet with his 
parents in 1868. and besides the 
education gained in the schools of 
the town he attended the Bridge- 
water Normal School. He chose the 
legal profession and graduated at 
the Harvard Law School. He soon 
began the practice of law at Pitts- 
field, where he was City Solicitor in 
1904 and 1905. He became inter- 
ested in politics there and was a 
member of the City Council of 1899 
and 1900. and Alderman in 1901. 
He is a member of the IMasonic and 
Odd Fellows fraternities ; of the 

Park Clul), Country Club, and Past Captain of Bartlett Camp, Sons of Vet- 
erans, of Pittsburg; the Thayer Law Clul) and P. Eta Society of Harvard, 
and a member of the Congregational chur^-h. .Mr. Warner leads a ' ' strenu- 
ous" life and one that commands the esteem of his fellowmen. He is 
unmarried. 




MILTON B. WARNER 



364 



WASHBURN FAMILY 



Those 1)y the name of Washburn who iiiha])it Southeastern Massa- 
chusetts are descendants of "Jo: AVashburn and Marg'erie Washburn," 
his wife, w^ho came to America in the ship Elizabeth and Ann in l()l2!). 
He was the first secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony appointed by 
the Kiuii'. and later joined the Mayflower Pilorims at Plymouth. The 
direct line of descent from him to the Acushnet Washburns is as follows: 
John^ John-. James^. ]\Ioses^ Moses^, Lettice^, Moses', b. in 1730, m. in 
1753 Sarah, dan. of Elnathan^ (Seth^, Thomas^) Pope of Acushnet. He 
always lived on the h(>mestead farm of his father, Moses^ the dwell- 
iii<i- of which was on the south side of the King Philip road, about 
% of a mile west of County road. He did patriotic service in the Revolu- 
tionary War in Capt. Parsons' company of the 3rd battalion of a Con- 
necticut regiment. 

Lettiee*^, b. in 1758. followed in the footsteps of his father by volun- 
teering his services in the Revolutionary War. He was a "Minute Man" 
on the muster roll of the company of Captain Thomas Kempton of New 
Bedford previous to 1775, therefore he could have been but 18 years of 
age. He m. 2nd in 17S1 Sarah, dan. of James Spooner of Acushnet, 
who was in the French and Indian Wars. At an early age he became 
a resident of this town. His dwelling house is still standing about 
100 feet north of White's Factory road, east of Long Plain road. 
Here were reared his 13 children, and here he lived an industrious, 
respected Christian life. He d. in 1844; Sarah in 1845. On their head- 
stones in the Precinct cemetery at Parting-of-the-Ways are these uni([ue 
and signihcant inscrii)tions : "Lettice Washburn * * a soldier in 
the Revolution;" "Sarah, his wife, a soldier of Jesus." Children: 
(1) Amaziah: (2) James and -lohn. twins, h. 1784; (4) William, b. 1786; 
(5) Mercy, b. 1789; (6) Susan, b. 1791; (7) Lettice, b. 1793; (8) Elizabeth, 
b. 1795; (9) Israel, b. 1796; (10) Nancy, b. 1799; (11) Sarah, b. 1801 ; (12) 
Sarah. 1). 1805; (13) Jos(>ph. 1808. 



365 



REV. ISRAEL WASHBURN 




REV. ISRAEL WASHBURN 



WASHBURN, REV. ISRAEI/. .son 
of Lettice (above), was b. Dee. 24, 
1796. at Aeiishnet. In ebildhood he 
possessed a thirst for an edncation, 
but could obtain only that gained in 
the district school. He was obliged 
to ])egin to earn his living at the 
age of 16, when he was apprenticed 
to John Perry, a shoemaker in 
Acushnet village. Before the expira- 
tion of his time ^Ir. Perry moved to 
South Kingston. R. I. Israel accom- 
panied him and finished his trade 
there. He at once started in the 
business for himself in that town and 
later in Norwich. Conn. Guided by 
the precepts and exam])le of a pious 
mother, he united with the Meth- 
odist church at an early age and soon 
felt called to the Christian ministry. 

He had been intensely studious ;ill these years of secular labor, and was 
well prepared for the work which lie was soon to take upon himself. At 
an early age he began to preach in schoolhouses, private houses and else- 
where. He was ordained by Bishop P^lijah Hedding at the annual con- 
ference in Xew Bedford in the spring of 1880. He was stationed over 
clini-cbes in the following places: Little Compton, Westport Point, Chat- 
liani (twice), Rockport. Stoughton. Chestnut Street, Providence, R. I., 
and Somerset. Then he engaged for a time in secular pursuits. He and 
his son. John II.. were with the California adventurers who sailed from 
New Bedford in 184i). In 1851 he purchased the farm next north of the 
Laura Keene place, where he resided three or four years, frequently 
preaching at the Oxford chapel and elsewhere. Then he engaged in the 
grocery business at Parting Ways with his son. William H. A year later 
he returned to the active ministry, serving the churches at Middleboro 
and West Bridgewater till the Civil War l)egan. ^Ir. Washburn had 
ahvays been an ardent, strong, fearless foe of human slavery, and now 
he used his marvelous power of ])ublic speech in behalf of tlie Union 
cause. In an address in Brockton in the spring of 1862 before a large and 
enthusiastic audience he changed his plea for the boys to "go" by signing 
the enlistment rolls on the spot, and urging them to "come." The en- 
listment was as a private in the 12th Regiment of Massachusetts Volun- 
teers, but when the colonel, Fletcher Webster, ascertained that he was 
over 65 years of age he insisted that Mr. Washburn should accept a 



366 

commission as chaplain, which he did. At the front his obedience, 
courage and loyalty were always apparent. He was honorably 
discharged for disability, from which he died two years later. In 
these two years he spent much time in delivering addresses for the Union 
cause in churches and halls and schoolhouses throughout this region, fre- 
quently sitting while he spoke, being physically unable to stand. The 
Methodist church of this, his native town, paid him a distinguished 
compliment by requesting that he be assigned to the pastorate of that 
society for 1864. Two weeks later his disease proved fatal, and he died 
April 23, 1864. He had "fought a good fight." To the end of his active, 
useful life he maintained his wide reputation as a fearless advocate of 
total abstinence and an uncompromising foe of the system of human 
slavery. Mr. Washburn m. 1st, Dec. 25, 1817, Susan, dan. of Elisha Gard- 
ner and widow of John Holme of South Kingston, R. I., and had (1) 
Lucy P., b. Oct. 5, 1818 ; (2) John H. He m. 2d, in 1830, Elizabeth (Allen) 
Lawton. and had (1) William H. (see below); (2) Lydia A.; (3) Israel 
D., b. in 1837; (4) Albert Gardner (see below). 



WILLIAM HENRY WASHBURN 



WASHBURN, WILLIAM HENRY, 
son of Rev. Israel (above), was b. 
at Pawtucket, R. L, Dec. 15, 1830 
He was well tinctured with May- 
flower blood, having seven lineal 
ancestors who were passengers in 
that world, and for all time, re- 
nowned vessel. He received his 
education at the public school, 
wherever his father was pastor, sup- 
plemented with six months at East 
Greenwich Academy. At the age of 
14 years he began to depend on his 
own labors for a livelihood. He 
spent a year on a coasting schooner 
and the next year worked on the 
famous "Seaconet farm" at Little 
Compton, R. I. Then he began to 
learn the trade of carriage making 
with his brother, John H. At the 
end of a year he entered the employ of George L. Brownell of New Bed- 
ford, engaged in the same business, remaining there five years, and then 
started in for himself ;!t Lund's corner, moving later to Parting Ways, 
where he also carried on the grocery trade till 1866, when he went to 




WILLIAM HENRY WASHBURN 



367 

Providence, R. I., where he conducted a fruit and provision business till 
1874. This was followed by a 10-year confidential clerkship for a whole- 
sale firm. Since 1884 he has been engaged in handling real estate and 
insurance, and in settling estates in the same city. Mr. Washburn took an 
active part in Acushnet politics. He was the town's agent for enlisting, 
drafting and filling quotas in the Civil AVar of 1861-5. He was one of the 
prime movers in the division of Fairhaven, and was the first resident of 
the new town to represent it in the House of the General Court, covering 
the sessions of 1864 and 1865, with great satisfaction to his constituents. 
He was a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Claims, Mr. Wash- 
burn is director of several organizations in Providence, and held the 
same office for many years in the ]\larthas Vineyard Campmeeting Asso- 
ciation. He has been an active member of the IMethodist church more 
than half a century, and for nearly 30 years was a steward, treasurer 
and trustee of the ]\Iatthewson Street church of Providence. As may 
be inferred from the above i-ecord, Mr. Washburn's standing in social, 
business and church affairs luis been of a high order. He m. 1st Dec. 14, 
1854, Elizabeth Hathaway of Acushnet. and had Charles 11., 1). 1853. He 
m. 2d, Dorcas C, dan. of (Jideon and Susan (Gardner) Wilber of Acush- 
net, March 2, 1862. and hnd Harriet Frances, b. May 13, 1863, now residing 
in New York city, and on the editorial staff of the "Christian Herald." 



CAPTAIN ALBERT GARDNER WASHBURN 



WASHHrKX. CAPT. ALBERT GARDNER, son of Rev. Israel 
(al)ove) was b. Fel). 5. 183!). Tie was a studious boy and graduated at 
the Fail-haven High School at the age of 16. He was at BroAvn University 
Iwo ycai's. and coni|)h'ted his collegiate course at Fnion College, 
Schenectady. N. V.. where he graduated cum laude in 1860. He chose 
the legal profession and imniediately entered the Albany Law Sclioo]. 
from which he began the practice of law at Amsterdam, N. Y. Later he 
was for a time editor of the W^eekly Dispatch of that place. In August. 
1862, directed l\v his inherited patriotism, he enlisted in Co. E, 134th 
N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was soon with the Army of the Potomac in the vi- 
cinity of the 12th ^lass. Vol., of which his father was chaplain. Promo- 
tion followed rapidly and soon he was commissioned captain. His 
bravery and soldierly (pialities would have quickly carried him higher 
had not his young, ambitious life, filled with brilliant prospects, been cut 
short. Typhoid fever attacked him and in a few days, on the 27th ot 
January, following his enlistment, he died in camp at the early age of 
27 years, one of the many thousands of costly sacrifices in blood for the 
preservation of our Union. Captain Washburn m. Belle dan. of John W. 
Evans, Esq.. of Schenectady. Their only child, a son, bears the name 
of his father. 



368 



FRANCIS P. WASHBURN 



WASHHURN. FRANCIS P.. son oi 

Reuben aiul Olive Washburn, was b, 
in New Bedfoixl Sept. 23. 1842. His 
father. Kculien, was b. Se!)t. 29. 
1816, and d. April 21. 1885. He was 
identified with the interests of the 
toAvn of Aeushnet and both he and 
his wife were leadino' menib(U's of tiu' 
^lethodist church in the village for 
many years. Francis P. received his 
education in the ])ublic schools of 
NeW' Bedford. He learned a carpen- 
ter's trade and has made his business 
that of a contractor and builder. On 
Oct. 8. 1861, Mr. Washburn enlisted 
in tli(^ defense of his country and was 
in the Army of the Potomac for 
three years. lie was a member of 
the famous .Mass. Fifth Battery, noted for the bravery of its men ami its 
numerous engagements. Since Nov. 1, 1864, ]\Ir. Washburn has been a 
member of the New Bedford Fire Department and is now^ its captain. 
He is also President of the Aeushnet Hand Engine Association. He be- 
came interested in politics and -has been for eight consecutive years a 
member of the New Bedford Common Council, having served as President 
the past year. Mr. Washburn is a member of the G. A. R.. Post 1, and a 
Past Colonel of Encampment No. 10, U. Y. L. He m. July 8. 1867, Ellen 
F., dan. of Abner and Eliza (iitford. They have Ch. Frank E., b. Aug. 
l;3, 1876, and Dora A., b. Sept. 18, 1882. 




FRANCIS P. WASHBUJtN 



369 
JAMES WEBB 

WEBB, JA:MES, was the third and youngest child of John and Betsey 
(Hayward) Webb, and was born in Hingham, Mass., Oct. 27, 1794. His 
father's grand parents came from Scotland and his mother's from Ena-- 
land. James Webb was known far and wide as "Webb the water drink- 
er " or " Water Webb. ' ' So many stories have been handed down, some 
true and some false, that it has been thought that it would be of interest 
to know the truth. The facts are these : Before he was a week old, he 
cried incessantly and after many attempts to quiet him, water was found 
to relieve him and he took a cupful at a time. The quantity which he 
required was increased until a remarkable amount was a positive 
necessity. In Volume IV. of the New England Journal of Medicine and 
Surgei-y. piil)li.shed by the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1814, an 
account is to be found of a visit paid him by Messrs. Ware and Norton, the 
hitlci- Lil)r;ii-i;m of Ilarvafd I'liiversity. The former states that they not 
only spent sonic time with James Webb but also called upon reliable 
people with whom he had lived, and were convinced of the truth of all the 
statements nnide. It seems that when the snbject of the sketch was nine 
oi- ten years old. his I'eguhii* I'ation was ;i (piart an hour, or six gallons in 
1 weiity-foiir honi-s. Later, hetween 14 and IS, the amount was increased 
to eight gallons, but snl)se((nently diminished to six gallons, which was 
his necessit\' dnring his jietive life. ]Mr. Ware states that Webb told him 
that he had never suffered from disease except this thirst and that if he 
abstained, he became dizzy and sick. In his own words, "When I don't 
drink, it gets into my head." lie drank one or two quarts at an interval 
of an hour and a half or two hours and had been known to drink a gallon 
withont ill effects. He especially disliked alcoholic liquors and carefully 
avoided them. His bucket of water always stood by his bedside at night 
and he drank regularly, seldom really rousing. In 1830 Mr. Webb moved 
his business, that of a master cooper, to Acushnet, where he resided 
until his death Oct. 22. 187i). During his later years he became very 
lame, and so giving u}) an active life, diminished in a degree the 
amount of water used. The case was considered so important that at 
various times eminent physicians visited him, measuring the water he 
drank and endeavoring to ascertain the cause for the abnormal condition. 
Very little was learned except the actual necessity and thfe fact that the 
kidneys took care of the surplus. After his death, by his special request, 
no examination was made, and thus some interesting questions must go 
uiuinswered. An uncle was said to have died at the battle of Yorktown 
for the want of water, and the story is told of his requiring large quanti- 
ties l)ut not so much as the subject of this sketch. Mr. Webb m. Oct. 26, 
1816, Anna Damon 1). Aug. 12, 1796, dau. of Simeon and Lucy (Bowker) 



370 



Dainoii of Scituate, Mass. Ch. : (1) James, b. Nov. 20, 1818, m. Eleanor 
Hawes; (2) Anna, b. Jan. 23, 1822; (3) Betsey, b. March 25, 1824; (4) 
Simeon, b. Sept. 1, 1826, m. Lavinia Pierce; (5) Mary, b. Dec. 17, 1828, m. 
Thomas Haft'ord of LakevilU- Oct. 11, 1851, d. Sept. 13. 1899. Had two 
daughters, Lucy Thomas. 1). Nov. 29, 1858, d. :\rarch 11. 1898. and Eloise 
A., b. Sept. 30, 1860. Both 1). in XeAv Bedford. (6) Catharine, b. Nov. 
1831 ; (7) Harriet, b. Feb. 3, 1834, m. Williaiii A. Dunbar of New Bedford: 
(8) Taymer. 1). Nov. 5, 1830. m. Isaac Swan of Fall River, Mass. 



JOSHUA FRANKLIN WEEKS 



WEEKS, JOSHUA FRANKLLX, son 

of Joshua, b. Jan. 14. 1820. d. Oct. 
14. 1897. and wife Abbie G. dan. of 
Holder M. and Love O. Brownell of 
Dai-tiiK.iith ].. :\Iai-cli 14. 1S27. d. 
.May 26. 1904. was h. in Bakcrville 
Uai-luiouth. .Alass.. Fcl). 28. 1866. 
He attendee] Dai'tiiioiit h |)iibli'- 
si-lioiils. ui-adualed from Dartmouth 
lli^h sclioul in 1882, graduated from 
lii-yant c^ St ral ton's college in 1884. 
was b()()kkee])er for Frank K Had- 
ley (druggist) for three years, then 
studied witli .Viidfew Tnizraliaiu of 
New iJedfoi'd. taking private lessons 
for a year i)reparing for college and 
then attended the T^niversity of the 
Oreeu Mountains. Bni'lington. Vt 
He was graduated IVoni this institution in 1S9() and began at once to prac- 
tice medicine, locating in Acushnet Awj.. 2<>. 1S!)0. and i-esidin^ liere since 
that time, having a large practice. He m. Jan. 30. 1892, Clara F. Smith b. 
April 3, 1867, in Dartmouth, dau. of Abram T. and Susan E. Smith. Ch. 
(1) Augustus Harrington b. June 7. 1895, d. Nov. 20, 1895; (2) Helen 
b. Jan. 19. 1899: (3) Franklin Harrington b. Nov. 29. 1904. Dr. Weeks 
has been a nieiid)er of New Bedford school connnittee since 1897. elected 
1897. 1!»00. 1!)03. 1906, for 3-year terms. He is also a member of the fol- 
lowing societies: ^Fass. ^ledical Society. New Bedford ^ledical Society, 
Amei'iean Medii-al Association, Eureka Lodge of ^Masons, Adoniram 
Royal Arch Chapter, Sutton Commandery Knights Templars. Order of 
the Eastern Star, member of Delta ]\Iu, college society, of Avhich he was 
vice president in 1888-1889. 




JOSHUA FRANKLIN WEEKS 



371 



ANSEL WHITE 




ANSEL, WHITE 



WHITE, ANSEL8, born in Aeush- 
net, Avas a descendant of the May- 
flower White, as stated on his grand- 
father's grave stone in the White 
cemetery on the east edge of Free- 
town. This is the inscription: "Mr. 
William^ White born Rochester A. 
D. 1721 — 1 — 16 died Fairhaven 
1817—5—30 Aged 96—1—14, son 
of John^ White of John^ White of 
Samuel3 White of Resolved- White 
of Williami White." The last named 
William^ was of the Mayflower. 
William^ died at his home in Acush- 
net. He had a son William', who d. 
:May 3, 1835, at White 's Factory. He 
m. Hannah Stetson, b. in Dartmouth, 
Mass., Ang. 4, 1763, a lineal descend- 
ant of Robert Stetson who was in Scituate in 1634. Their son Ansel of 
this sketch was born Feb. 9, 1796, at Acushnet on White's Factory road. 
He left his father's house at the age of 18 years, saying if he could ever 
take care of himself, he could do it then. He Avent to Long Plain, where 
he engaged in business: and in 1818 purchased a mill privilege, a grist 
mill, saw mill and carding mill situated on what was then known as 
Young's dam, west of Long Plain village, where he carried on the lumber 
business, w^ool-carding and boat building. He bought the homestead of 
Joseph Severance located near his mills under date of February 8, 1819, 
and began housekeeping there in 1823. In 1833 he built a new house 
on the same estate, which is still standing, and is now the property of the 
New Bedford Water Works. The county records show that he accumu- 
lated real estate rapidly : twenty-two purchases being on record prior to 
1834. His wool-carding factory was bnrned about 1840 and the follow- 
ing day he secured lumber for rebuilding. Here he continued to card 
wool nntil 1856, when this industry becoming obsolete, the mill was leased 
for the manufacture of cotton yarn. It was again burned in 1859 and 
not rebuilt. He continued his other mill industries until the City of New 
Bedford acquired the property for its water supply. Esquire White, as 
he was familiarh' known, was public spirited and liberal. He possessed 
a legal mind and was well versed in matters pertaining to the law. An 



372 



outspoken man, of sound judgment and sterling integrity, his opinion was 
sought and valued by his townsmen. He was interested in all public 
affairs and took an active ])art in the movement which resulted in the 
division of the town : luit never accepted office, l)('ing fully occupied in 
the conduct of his own business. He was a member of the Christian 
church at Long lM;iin .iml when Unit liccjimc extinct, united with a church 
of the same faith at Penx Hill. .Mi-. Wliite m. Hannah, dan. of John 
Clark and Lois (Akin) Hathaway, h. .Inne 27. 1787. in Acushnet. where 
she d. Jan. 16, 1857. Chihlivn: (1) Eli/a Ann. 1). Oct. 28. 1823. m. Capt. 
James Allen and now resides at Long Plain (see elsewhere) ; (2) Lois 
Akin. 1). .May 1;!. is-_>(i. d. Seplemhei- 21. 1S27: ! 3) Ansel n.-irk. I). Feb. 14. 
1829. now liviiiL: in T.-ninton (see l)elow). 



BENJAMIN WHITE 



WHITE. BENJAMIN^ son of Al- 

den-"'. (Benj.-iiiiin*. Peter^, Peter-, 
Pelei-'.) who was in Shrewsbury, N. 
J.. l)efore 1685, and wife Jane White. 
was 1). Aug. 28. 1826. in Acushnet, 
where he always resided and where 
his father ;ind grandfather lived 
Ml-. AVliito had nid\- an education 
which the disli-icl sehiml affordctl, 
hill with this and his natural mental 
ability his was a successful career. 
His chief occupation from choice was 
cultivating the ancestral acres but 
liesides this he was busily engaged in 
various other matters. He did a 
large probate business. settled 
estates, sni'veyed land, was trustee of 
the Fairhaven Savings bank, a 
Justice of th(^ Peace, ten yeai-s 'I'nwn ('lerk and fourteen years Town 
Treasni-er. one of tlie Selectmen of Acushnet and a member of the House 
in the Legislature <il' ^iassacdinsetts in 1876. This indicates that Squire 
White, as he was lainiliarl.x called, was a safe adviser, a conscientious 
public official, a true citi/en. which his friends and townsmen knew him 
to be. He was a loyal ineinlter of the Congregational chui-eh at Lund's 
cornel-. Mr. White went to Switzerland. F]ori<la. in December, 1891, 






BEN.TAMIX AVrilTE 



373 



hoping to restore poor health, but three weeks later, Jan. 12, 1892, died 
in Jacksonville, Fla. He was buried in Acushnet. At the town meeting 
of March 7, 1892, resolutions of appreciation of his merits were unani- 
mously adopted. Mr. White ni. April 11. 1858. Lydia A., dau. of Edward 
Morse (see elsewhere) of Aciisluicl. ("hihli-cu: (1) Alden (see else- 
where); (2) Annie I\r., b. April 5. 18()3 ; (3) Carrie L., b. April 14, 1866; 
(4) Amah B.. 1). June 11, 1871. Annie M. attended the Acushnet public 
school, was graduated at the New Bedford High school, and subsequently 
took a course of study at Bryant & Strattou's Commercial college. She 
was later employed in com-ls in I>i-ist()l county as stenographer and type- 
writer at which she was an expert. She m. Aug. 7, 1897, Charles W. 
Bartlett of Boston, a counsellor-at-law. and a candidate for governor of 
]\[assachusetts in 1905; also in 1907. 



ANSEL CLARK WHITE 



WHITE, ANSEL CLARK^, the son 

of Ansel White^ (above), was born 

February 14, 1829, in Acushnet and 

continued there until the spring of 

1869, when he removed to Taunton 

where he has since resided. He was 

occupied in farming and lumbering 

during his residence in Acushnet. 

The upper dam, so-called, at the New 

Bedford Water Works reservoir, was 

built by him under contract, in 1867 

and 1868. Since his removal to 

Taunton he has been engaged in the 

coal business. Mr. White m. Feb. 4, 

1855, Voadicia Jane, dau. of George 

Steele and Voadicia (Baker) Hoard 

b. June 20, 1833, at Lakeville, Mass., 

d. Nov. 26, 1903, at Taunton, Mass. 

Children: (1) George Ansel, b. Nov. 25, 1855; (2) Edward Irving, b. Aug. 

30, 1857; (3) Robert Hart, b. :\Iay 16, 1859; (4) Myra Jane, b. April 8, 

1863; (5) Hannah Hathaway, b. Nov. 26, 1864; (6) Helena Louisa, b. Oct. 

15, 1870, d. Sept. 10, 1871; (7) Clifford Allen, b. June 25, 1873; (8) 

William, b. Dec. 15, 1875. 




ANSEL CLARK WHITE 



374 



AUGUSTUS WHITE 




AUGUSTUS WHITE 



WHITE. AUGUSTUS, son of Phineas 
;iii(l Betsey (Walker) White of Liv- 
eniiore. ^Nfo.. was born Sept. 26. 1832, 
in the house where he has since re- 
sided on tlio Mill road at the head 
i>r White's P^'actory road m this town. 
Mr. White comes from ]\[ayflower 
stock, lii.s ancestor William being one 
nf the passengers of th-at good ship. 
The line down is as follows: Wil- 
li;! in' Kcsolvod-. SanmeP. John^, 
.lohii". William''', William'. Phineas^ 
;iii(l .\ugustus^. Phineas lived many 
years on the north side of White's 
Fadoi'v I'ojid wlierc he liad a wool 
carding mill. lie went about the 
country gathering wool fi-om sheep 
growers. His son Augustus relates 
that he has heard his father say that at one time he knew nearly every 
family in Bristol and Plymouth counties. The wool tlius ol)tained was 
used in his mill. This mill was burntMl and replaced by another. The 
only education Augustus received in his boyhood days was in the district 
school near his home, but he has been a diligent student all his life and 
has acquired useful knowledge from much reading and careful observa- 
tion. His chief occupation has been the tilling of the farm on which he 
was l)orn and he now has one of the largest, most productive dairy farms 
in this county. Assisted by his sous he makes milk for the New Bed- 
ford market, all of which they deliver. ^Mr. White has served the town 
12 years as school committee and been several years surveyor of high- 
ways. Tlo was one of the leading' mm in the erection of the Advent 
chapel in the Whelden neighborhood 44 years ago and has been a deacon 
of that society and superintendent of the Sabbath school during those 
years. Mv. White has always ])een a man of industry and i)ush and now. 
at 75 years of age, is remarkably vigorous in body and mind. He m. 
June 7, 1869, Angeline ]\r. dan. of ^Merchant and ]\[elora A. Wliite. Ch.. 
(1) Elizabeth Webster b. June 6. 1870: (2) Maria Clark b. Dec. 0. 1871: 
(3) Walter Augustus b. Oet. 0. 1873, m. .\iinie Harden of East Bridge- 
water, they have ch. Helen Louise, Avery Whitmarsh. Raymond Au- 
gustus; (4) Henry Clay b. Nov. 10, 1877; (5) Edward Nelson, b. INfay 4, 
1881; (6) Emma Louise b. March 23, 1884. 



375 



BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WHITE 



WHITE, liENJAIMIN FKAXKLIX, is llic son of Benjamin White and 
Caroline (dau. of David and Sally Stockbridge of Hanover. ^Nrass.) -vvho 
were ni. Feb. 18. 1838. Benjamin was tlie youngest mciiibci- of the lirm 
of Williaiu AVhitc cV; Sons ;i1 While's Factory. Benjajnin Franklin wa.s 
b. in Xoftli Eairliavcn, now Acnshnet, Dec. 3, 1837. He is a direct 
descendant of the AVhite of the Mayflower. In early life he Avent before 
the mast on a voyage to San Francisco and remained in California, work- 
ing on a frnit farm, nntil 1866 when he removed to Idaho and was there 
engaged in the salt business for a time and later in the ex])ress and 
transportation l)nsiness. He finally located at Dillon when it was the 
terminus of a branch of the Oregon Short line which uoav runs from 
Silver l)OW to Pocfjtcllo. He there engaged in llic bani\ing business and 
has been very successful in the same. His bank withstood the ])anic 
which carried down many of the western banks and was about the only 
one in that vicinity which did. It has always been sound and is today. 
He is known in that vicinity east and west of the Rocky ^lountains as a 
man of sterling integrity and of great business ability and is much re- 
spected. Pie was appointed territorial governor of the state of Montana 
by President Harrison. Mr. White Avas recentlj" a member of the Mon- 
tana legislature and speaker of the House of Representatives. He was 
mayor of Dillon in 1884-88; elected again in 1900 and has served con- 
tinuousl}^ since. The Dillon Tribune of Feb. 1, 1907, prints the follow- 
ing: Senator B. F. White is president pro tern of the senate of Montana 
and is one of the most active members of that body. He is honored with 
a position on several of the most important committees of this branch of 
the legislature, being chairman of the judiciary committee and on that 
of mines and mining, libraries, fish and game, elections and privileges, 
fairs and expositions and railroads and transportation. He is a good 
politician; a first class senator and a leader on the floor; accessible and 
exceedingly courteous, and interested in all the public and educational 
institutions of the state. Senator AVhite stands as well elscAvhere as he 
does in his home county of Beaverhead. He m. Feb. 1, 1880, Elizabeth 
Davis of Malad City, Idaho. They have ch. Carolyn, Emrys D., Ralph W. 
and Margaret. 



376 



ALDEN WHITE 



AYHITE, ALDEN7, son of Ben- 
jamin^ (above) and Lydia (Morse) 
White was born at the house 
of several of his ancestors at 
Potter's corner, Mill road, April 
11. 1861, where he has since re- 
sided. His education was acquired 
in the district school near his home 
and in the New Bedford High school 
where lie was graduated. He then 
learned the art of decorating glass 
in whicli he was engaged for a while, 
and then, on the death of his father. 
took charge of the farm and estate. 
]Many of his father's clients and 
others sought advice and aid in civil 
matters, land surveying, etc. He 
svicceeded Dennis Mason in May. 
1901, as town clerk, treasurer and 
collector, which positions he has filled continuously to the present time 
with approbation of tlie citizens of the town. Mr. White is unmarried. 




ALDEN WHITE 



THE WILBUR FAMILY 



The earliest known of the name in America is Samuel. Upon the 
records of theFirst churcli of Boston is to be found the following : "Samuel 
Wildbore, witli liis wife, Ann. was admitted to this church, Dec. 1, 1633." 
He had married in England Ann Bradford, dan. of Thomas Bradford of 
Doncaster in Yorke county, or Yorkshire. Samuel was admitted as 
Freeman of Boston ^Farch 4. 163-1. He owned considerable property in 
Taunton and also possessed holdings in Boston. In 1637 he with others 
was banished from the colony because of religious views at variance with 
those held by the majority. Tender the adviee of Roger Williams the 
party tied to Providence and pnrchased what i.s now Rhode Tslaiul from 
the Indians. In 1638 Samuel moved his family there. He d. July 24, 
1656. From his sons William and Shadracdi have descended the numer- 
ous families of Wilbors, Wilburs, Wilbers, Wilbars, Wilbours, Wilboures, 
etc., in this country. The name is found to have been spelled in fifteen 
different ways. 



377 



NOAH HERVEY WILBUR 




Photo, by Jas. E. Reed, New Bedford 

NOAH HERVEY WILBUR 



WILBUR, NOAH HERVEY, son of 
Peleg and Eliabeth (Gifeord) Wil- 
bur, was b. in Little Compton, R. I., 
June 8, 1834. His grand parents were 
Daniel and Deborah (Taylor) Wil- 
bur and Noah and IMartha (Hath- 
away) Gifford. He was educated in 
the schools of Little Compton, R. I., 
and Friends' School in Providence. 
After finishing his school life for a 
time he worked as clerk in a store 
and also for a steamboat company in 
Providence. After his marriage in 
1857 he went west and Wcis in Iowa 
about four years. Returning to 
Providence he engaged in the lumber 
business with Jerome Sherman, his 
wife's uncle, for several years, later 

selling out the business to him. In 1869 he with others bought of J. P. 
Lund the mill on the site where he now, in company with Capt. Jonathan 
Hawes, carries on the business known under the name of the Acushnet 
Saw Mill Co, Mr. Wilbur also bought at later date Doty mill, formerly 
owned b}^ John Ellis, and Turner mill. He has made a fine success of 
the saw mill business in which he has been actively engaged for nearly 
forty years. He m. Sept. 17, 1857, Adelaide V., dan. of Edward W. 
Sherman of Providence, R. I. Ch : (1) Edward P., b. July 5, 1858, in 
Bloomington, Iowa, m June 13, 1888, Nancy C. Holden of Knoxville. 
Tenn., had Ch. Theodore H., Fanny H., Howard C. (2) Elizabeth G., b. 
March 30, 1860, in Sweetland, loAva. (3) Herbert R., b. Aug. 31, 1867. 
in Providence, R. I., m. Grace A. Hallett of Marstons Mills, d. Feb. 18, 
1894. They had one son, Robert Rushmore. (4) Arthur T., b. in New- 
Bedford Dec. 12, 1871, m. Oct. 22, 1895, Jessie E. Bennett of Acushnet. 
Ch. Lillian and Lois. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur are prominent members oc 
the Friends' society, he being an elder and overseer and she a minister. 
They have charge of the Friends' meeting at Parting Ways. 



378 



HORATIO NELSON WILBUR 




I'lii.tc. I).v .las. I'l l;ur(l. New Uedfiird 

HOIIATIO NELSON WILBUR 



WILBUR, HORATIO NELSON, son 

of Edwin^ (Damel^, Daniel^, Wil- 
liam*, Samuel'^, William^, Samuel^,) 
and Sally Richmond (Gray) Wilbur, 
was b. in Little Compton, R. I., Sept. 
12, 1839. His grand parents were 
Daniel and Deborah (Taylor) Wil- 
bur and Loring and Ruth Richmond 
(Gray) all of Little Compton. He 
was educated in the schools of his 
native toAvn and Avorked with his 
father upon the farm during his boy- 
hood and early manhood. On Oct. 
31, 1866, he m. Mary J. dau. of 
Thomas and Deborah (Gilford) 
Palmer of Little Compton. In the 
autunui of 1866 Mr. Wilbur, with his 
father, moved to Acushnet and 
bought the "S(|uiro Nye" place so-called, later occupied by Joseph B. 
Slocum. After the death of his father he bought, in 1878, the "Jones 
Robinson" place, enlarged and improved the buildings and has resided 
there since that time. Mr. Wilbur has led a very active life and con- 
tinues his interest and activity to the present time, finding great pleasure 
in the oversight of the improvement of his property. The farm upon 
which he lives contains 120 acres, 35 under cultivation and the remaindei 
good woodland. He also owns, on Sconticut Neck, Fairhaven, a farm 
of 120 acres, 50 acres of which are cultivated. A part of this farm, 
which borders upon the shore of Buzzards Bay, Mr. AVilbur has laid out 
as a summer resort and has develojDed a profitable and growing business 
in bnilding and renting cottages, of which he has at present a dozen or 
more. He is improving this constantly by digging wells, laying out 
avenues and putting up new cottages. In connection with this business 
he runs a general grocery store and also supplies his summer tenants with 
fresh vegetables, ice, etc. The past snnnner he has furnished 800 lbs. of 
ice per day. Mr. and ]\Irs. Wiibni' Inive two ch. Deborah C, b. ]\Iay 8, 
1870, who m. PiUiery E. Cushman (see elsewhere), and Horatio Nelson b. 
Feb. 12, 1874, m. Nov. 15, 1892, I^lizabeth Dunn, dau. of George and 
Elizabeth Hiller of Fairhaven. He is in business with his father at 
Sconticut Neck, where he resides. 



379 



JOHN WILCOX 



AVILCOX, JOHN, son of Nathan 
and Elizabeth Wilcox, was b. in 
Aenshnet April 18, 1815. He was 
educated in the public schools of the 
town. At the age of 16 he went to 
New Bedford and learned a cooper's 
trade, which he followed for 81 
years in New Bedford at corner of 
Hillman and Water streets. In 1867 
on account of failing health Mr. Wil- 
cox retired from this business and 
bought the "Jones Robinson farm," 
so called, in Acushnet, on the west 
side of the Fairhaven road near 
Parting Ways. For a nmnber 
of years he devoted himself to 
improving this farm and enjoyed 
the result of his labor. Here he 
resided until 1878, when he sold the 

farm and moved to Fairhaven, where he purchased a residence on William 
street. In 1885 he moved to New Bedford at which place he died Jan. 
4th, 1893. Mr. Wilcox was active in the politics of the city, especially 
during the administration of Rodney French. He m. 1836 Sophia, dan. 
of Calvin and Tirzah Fish of Falmouth. They had ch. (1) Elizabeth; (2j 
Sophia; (3) John; (4) George; (5) Caroline; (6) Isabella, m. Robert E. 
Leavitt of Acushnet; (7) Taustina ; (8) Harriet; (9) Charles; (10) Rich- 
mond; (11) Mary A., m. Charles E. Lumbard (see elsewhere); (12) 
Waldo; (13) Edith. 




JOHN WILCOX 



380 



BENJAMIN WILSON 



WILSON, BENJAMIN, son of Edward and Hannah Gray Wilson, was b. 
ill Fall River, then Troy, Oct. 15, 1812. He was educated in the schools 
of Fall River; m. 1st Hannah Coombs Faunce of North Dartmouth. Ch. 
Elizabeth E.. m. Joshua V. Davis; Paulina C, m. Capt. Edward C. 
Miii'i-a\'; Sarah F.. iii. Augustus W. Bisbee ; Edward, not m. ; 
Benjamin. Jr.. 1st m. Flizabeth Ilawes: m. 2nd Nancy J. INIelnnis 
of South Dartmouth. Ch. (1) Ella F.. m. AVilliam A. Gifford of 
Falmouth; (2j (Jrace L., not m. ; (8) George A., not m. All b. at Long 
Plain, where Mv. Wilson lived for fifty-two years and where he owned and 
tilled a farm. He served the town of Acushnet as Selectman and Road 
Commissioner for a number of years. He had the contract for building 
the Water Works pond at Long Plain and looked after the interests there 
of the New Bedford Water Works up to the time of his death. Mr. 
Wilson (1. at Long Plain Aug. 8, 1897. at the age of nearly 85. 



WING FAMILY 



Rev. John^ Winii m. Deborah, dau. of Rev. Stephen Bachelder, both 
of England, and the widow Deborah brought her sons Daniel, John, 
Matthew and Stephen to Lynn, ]\Iass., in 1637. Matthew- was one of the 
pioneer settlers of Sandwich and from him most of the Wings hereabouts 
are descended, through John', Daniel^ John-^ of Sandwich, 1698, and 
later of Rochester. John*' of Rochester m. Martha Spooner of Acushnet 
Jabez' of Acushnet m. ^Irs. Ann (Spooner) Tobey. Joshua^ of this town 
m. P^leanor. dau. of Isaac and Sarah (dau. Timothy Sherman) Handy. 
Samuel Spoouci-''. b. 1794. m. Sarah (Pope) Hathaway, who had children 
1). ill Acushnet as follows (1) Levi (see below) ; (2) Jabez H., b. April 19, 
1823, m. Abigail C. dau. of Silas and Desire (Clark) Briggs. Ch. Amelia 
and Sarah Pope h. in Acushnet; Ileury W., Abigail C, Levi and Herbert 
P.., 1). in Marion, :Mass. (3) :\Iargaret H., b. March 31, 1832; (4) Philip, b. 
in 1834; m. ]\Iary ]\lai'tiii. Ch.. b. in Acushnet, William H., Clara L., 
Margaret M., Charles M., Bruce C., b. in New Jersey, Alexander H. 



381 



LEVI WING 



WING, LEVI, son of Samuel S. (see 
above) and Sarah (Hathaway) 
Wing, was b. in Acushnet on the 
Bates place, Mattapoisett road, Sept. 
18, 1818. After learning the trade 
of a house carpenter and working 
as a journeyman for a time he en- 
tered into partnership with Henry 
Stetson of Fairhaven, where they 
carried on the business of contractor 
and builder as Stetson & Wing till 
1847, when he bought a farm on the 
Mattapoisett road in this town. He 
was among the California adventur- 
ers about three years, when he re- 
turned to the farm and engaged in 
carpentering and farming the 
remainder of his life. Mr. Wing 

was interested in general political affairs and in the management of 
matters relating to the town in which he was an officeholder. He was 
highly esteemed for his upright character and good judgment. Mr Wing 
m. May 10, 1810, Rachel S., dan. of William and Mary T. Swift of Fair- 
haven. Ch. (1) Samuel (see elsewhere) ; (2) Frederick L. (see else- 
where) ; (3) Elizabeth Pierce, b. in Acushnet May 5, 1850, m. Charles M. 
Morse. (See elsewhere.) Mrs. Wing d. April 27, 1896, and i\[r. Wing 
Nov. 11 of the same year, on the homestead farm. 




LEVI WING 



382 



CAPT. ANDREW J. WING 




CAPT. ANDREW 



WING 



WING, ANDREW JOHNSON,, son 

of Stephen and Ruanay (Gifford) 
Wing', was descended from Rev. John 
and wife Del^orah (Bachelder) Wing 
of England. lie was b. in North 
Fairhaven. now Acushnet, March 28, 
1820. At the age of seven he was 
left fatherless and was forced to be- 
come a wage earner. He worked in 
Welden 's factory, the ruins of which 
are still standing (see picture else- 
where). Here his right arm was in- 
jured, incapacitating him for work 
in the mill and he was sent to labor 
on a farm. He continued in this 
until the age of fifteen, sntfering 
great hardships. Then he began to 
drive a three horse team for Ansel 
White. One day he was jiloughing, when, taking offense at some trivial 
affair, he threw d(»wn his whip and said: "I work no more on the land. 
I am going to sea tomorrow." He went to New Bedford and shipped 
before the mast in the ship George and Martha. His second voyage was 
in the Heroine, Capt. Frank Smith, as boatsteerer. The third voyage 
was in the Ansel Gibbs. Capt. Isaiah West, again as boatsteerer, and the 
voyage was a very successful one. Subsequent voyages were in the 
Condor and Canton, Capt. James R. Allen. The latter proved to be one 
of the most successful voyages made and when settled Capt. Wing 
received five hundred dollars for each of the eighteen months he had been 
gone. Aug. 10, 1852, at the age of thirty, he sailed in ship Canton in his 
seventh voyage, which brought him disaster, shipwreck and loss. He had 
invested much of his money in knives, scissors, calico and other articles 
to trade with the natives and also owned heavily in the ship, Avhicli was 
wrecked on a coral island in the Pacific ocean. With only a pocket com- 
pass and the scanty supply of food and water which they were able to 
rescue from the vessel the thirty-two men were in open boats upon the 
ocean forty-nine days. After untold hardships of great interest, but 
which space forbids relating, land was reached and Capt. Wing returned 
to his home after having been given up as lost. From a weight of 180 
pounds he was reduced to only 90, speaking eloquently of the anguish of 



383 

mind and body. Later he made voyages in the Kutnsoff, Milo and the 
Addison. His eleventh and last voyage was from San Francisco, after 
which he retired to his farm in Acushnet, where he lived until his decease 
March 28, 1897, on the 77th anniversary of his birth. He was a man of 
good judgment, integrity and perseverance, kind and generous hearted. 
He m. April 13, 1848, Caroline Brown Ashley, b. in North Rochester July 
8, 1823. Ch. (1) Charles Andrew, a farmer in East Calais, Vt. ; (2'^ James 
Allen (see elsewhere) ; (3) William Augustus, d. in San Francisco Dec. 
31, 1901; (4 and 5) Clara Thomas and Anna Thomas, twins. Clara m. 
Sept. 19, 1885, Gustavus Fisher Guild. Ch. Caroline Wing, Horace, 
Sydney Theodore. Anna m. Dec. 21. 1893, Eugene White. Ch. Marjory 
Wing, Sally Nye; (6) Caroline Elizabeth m. Aug. 1907 George T., son of 
Capt. George J. Parker (see elsewhere). 



SAMUEL WING 



WING, SAMUEL, son of Levi 
(above) and Rachel (Swift) Wing, 
was born in the village of Fairhaven, 
March 2, 1842. After acquiring a 
public school education he was oc- 
cupied on the farm of his father a 
while and then learned the trade of 
a house builder. Ill health com- 
l)elled him to abandon this work and 
he secured employment in Cush' 
man's 1)ox factory in this town and 
later in a similar plant in New York 
city. Subsequently he returned to 
the homestead, where he has since 
been extensively engaged in market 
gardening and general farming and 
is a large owner of woodland and 
dealer in firewood. He m. Mary 

Ann Douglass (see elsewhere) May 26, 1866. Ch., all b. in Acushnet: (1) 
Harold Clifton, b. May 11, 1869 ; m. April 19, 1899, Charlotte E., dau. of 
Peter and Mary A. Davis, b. Oct. 1, 1870, and has eh. Charles R., b. at 
New Bedford, Aug. 9, 1900. (2) Alfred B., b. March 27, 1875; m. Esther 
Nuttal, April 13, 1903. (3) Chester B., b. Sept. 29, 1871 ; d. Sept. 4, 1888. 




riioto. by Jiis. E. Keed, New Bedford 

SAMUEL WING 



384 



FREDERIC L. WING 



WING, FREDERIC L, son of Levi 
and Rachel (Swift) Wing (above), 
was b. in Acnshnet Sept. 1848. He 
was edncated in the public schools of 
liis native town and in 1866 began to 
learn the trade of a plumber and 
sheet iron worker with the firm of 
Cobb & Jenney at Lund's corner, 
serving three years. He then worked 
in Boston for eight years and for 
more than thirty years has followed 
the sauK^ business in Uxbridge, 
INIass., wlici-e he resides. He m. 
Sept. 8. 1873. Susan S. Totman, dau. 
of Lewis and Ann ^laria Totman of 
Bath, IMaine, b. Oct. 7. 1848. Mr. 
and ]\Irs. Wing have twin daughters 
Caroline Eaton and Rachel Evelyn, 
b. April 29, 1878, in Uxbridge. ]\Ir. Wing is a P. G. of Uxbridge Lodge 
No. 120, I. 0. 0. F. He joined the lodge in 1879 and served as secretary 
for twenty-three consecutive years. 




FREDERIC L. W^NG 



385 



CAPT. JAMES ALLEN WING 




WING, CAPT. JAMES ALLEiN, 

son of Andrew J. (above), was born 
in New Bedford March 1. 1851. His 
boyhood was spent on his father's 
farm in Acushnet. He went his first 
voyage whaling as cabin boy with 
Capt. James R. Allen in bark Eagle, 
sailing from New Bedford Jnne 17. 
1862. Tliis voyage was made event- 
ful by ;in encounter witb Capt. 
Semnies of the Confederate cruiser 
Alabama, when only twenty-three 
days out. His second voyage was 
made as boatsteerer, advancing in 
subsequent voyages to fourth mate, 
mate and captain, remaining on land 
scvci-al times between seasons for his 
education. Among the vessels in 

whicli he sailed were the Eagle, Capt. Allen; bark Stafford, Capt. King; 
bark Abram Barker, Capt. Tobey : bark Northern Light, Capt. Kenney; 
bark Andrew Hicks. Capt. Williams; bark A. R. Tucker. When the 
whaling industry died out in New Bedford, Capt. Wing went to San 
Francisco and from there made his first voyage to the Arctic with Capt. 
Smith on steamer Karluk. He then went as captain on bark Sea Breeze, 
steamer Karluk two voyages, the C. T. Walker, two seasons on the river 
steamers plynig between Stockton and San Francisco and then returned 
to the Arctic again. He is at present captain of a ship for sperm whaling 
in the Japan sea. Capt. Wing is an excellent navigator, an inheritance 
from his father. His vessel was among the "ice catch" of 1898. and was 
not heard from during the winter. He m. a Stockton lady, and his 
home is in Berlveiev. California. M'here their onh' son. Clark Allen Wina' 
is being educated. 



CAPT. JAMES ALLEN WING 



386 



THOMAS WOOD 



WOOD, THOMAS, 
was b. at Welden's 
Factory. Acnshnet, 
July 12, 1848. His 
father Gideon was b. 
ill Aciishnet in 1818. 
d. at Dorchester Dec, 
6. 1896. His g-. father 
was Thomas Wood, 
b. in New Bedford 
Feb. 10, 1790. d. in 
Acnshnet. Thomas, 
the subject of this 
sketch, after com- 
])letin«' his early ed- 
ucation a t t h e 
Friends' school in 
Providence, R. I., 
Avent to Boston in 
1866 and engag-ed in 
l)usiness. making his 
residence in Lynn. 
Til 1879 lie estab- 
lislicd tlie firm of 
Thomas Wood & Co.. 
importers of tea, 
coifee and spices. 
Early in life he be- 
came interested in 
religious and philan- 
thropic work, demonstrating the fact that the busy men are often the 
ones who have the most time to spare for such effort. He was foremost 
among the promoters of the inauguration of the Y. M. C. A. at Lynn and 
actively connected with it until 1880, when he made his residence in Bos- 
ton. During the years in Lynn he was also active in Bible school work, 
serving as Superintendent of Mt. Vernon ]\Iission School and the 
Friends' Bible School in that place. Amid the increasing responsibilities 
of a growing business he has found time to be interested and hel{)ful in 
the Union Rescue INIission, the Massachusetts Sunday School association, 
is General Superintendent of Bible Schools of Societj^ of Friends for New 




THOMAS WOOD 



387 

Engiand, also of Evangelical and Church Extension work, of the Society 
of Friends. Since 1903 he has been President of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion of New Engiand. Mr. Wood m. 1st Jan. 9, 1873, Guilelma Coffin 
of Nantucket. Ch. (1) Ruth, b. Dec. 2, 1873; (2) Anna, b. Sept. 9, 1875; 
(3) Helen, b. Oct. 6, 1877; (4) Marion, b. Jan. 7, 1882. The last named 
b. in Boston, the others in Lynn. He m. 2nd Sept. 1, 1904, Georgia B. 
Birdsall of Newberg, N. Y. Mr. Wood's places of business are 33 Com- 
mercial wharf, Boston, and 428 St. Paul street, ^loutreal. 



WILLIAM G. WOOD 



WOOD, WILLIAI\I (I.. of the firm of Greene & AVood, son of Thomas and 
Betspy P. Wood, was b. in the section of Fairhaven which is now included 
in Acushnet in 1833. He received his education in the common schools 
of New Bedford and in the Friends' academy of Providence. After leav- 
ing school he entered the employ of Greene & Wood as a clerk and became 
a partner in 1861. This firm was established by Augustus A. Greene, who, 
in company with Henry T. Leonard, engaged in the lumber business on 
Leonard's wharf, the copartnership beginning on Jan. 1, 1845. The 
orignial firm was dissolved in 1850, after which it became known as the 
firm of Greene & Wood. Mr. Greene retired from active business, how- 
ever, in 1871. Mr. Wood became the senior member of the firm, and 
associated with him were George R. and Edmund Wood. William G. 
Wood's connection with the business as clerk and partner covered a 
l)eriod of over half a century.. Although one of the representative busi- 
ness men of the city, ]Mr. Wood has never been prominent in public 
affairs. He was for two years a member of the board of overseers of the 
poor and a member of the Protecting society in 1856, '67, '76 and '77. 
For many years he was clerk of the board of trustees of the Institution for 
Savings. Mr. Wood m, in 1859 Eliza H. Delano of New Bedford. 



388 




si'dur 

A pet and faillil'ul friind of lliu Autlior 

TO MY DOG 

A famous old poem hy J. '.'. llolUind 



My dear dumb friend, low lying there, 
A willing vassal at my feet, 

(Had pai-tner of my home and fare, 
My shadow in the street. 



As patient under injury 

As any Christian saint of old. 
As gentle as a lamb with me, 

Hut with voui- lirothers, liold. 



I look into your great brown eyes. 

Where love and loyal homage shine. 
And wonder where the difference lies 

Between your soul and mine. 



More playful than a frolic hoy. 
More watchful than a sentinel; 

By day and night, your con.stant jov 
To guard and please me well. 



For all of good that 1 have found 
Within myself or human kind, 

Hath royally informed and crowned 
Your gentle heart and mind. 

I scan the whole broad earth around 
For that one heart, which, leal and 
true. 

Hears friendship without end or bound. 
And find the prize in you. 



I clasp your head upon my breast. 

The while you whine and lick my 
hand. 
And thus our friendshiit is confessed. 

And thus we understand. 

Ah. Blanco I Did 1 worship C!od 
As truly as you worship tiie. 

Or follow where my Master trod. 
With vour humility. 



1 trust yon as 1 tiusi the stars: 

Nor cruel loss, nor scoff, nor pride, 

Xor beggary, nor dungeon bars 
Can move you from my side. 



Hid I sit fondly at his feet. 

As you, dear Blanco, sit at mine. 
And watch him with a love as sweet, 

My life would grow divine. 



GENERAL INDEX 



Aciishnet list of teachers, 
Acushnet iietitioners for 

poration, 
Adams, Charles H., 
Agnew, John, 
Aikin, Eben, Jr., 
Aikin, Ebenezer, 
Alkin, Lemuel S., 
Aikin, L. S., 
Albro, Alexander, 
Alden, Priscilla, 
Alden, William, 
Allen. Charles F., 
Allen, Ebenezer, 
Allen, Eliza A., 
Allen, Elizabeth, 
Allen, Hezekiah, 
Allen, James, 
Allen, James R., 24, 1 
Allen, Louise, 
Allen, Mary A., 
Allen, Thomas N., 
Allen, William, 

33, 42, 43, 
Amnion, a Negro, 
Anthony, Isaac, 
Anthony, William, 
Armsby, Brownell, 
Armsby, Lemuel, 
Ashley, Abraham, 
Ashley, Delana, 
Ashley, Clifford H., 
Ashley, Elizabeth. 
Ashley, Edward R., 

106, 111, 1 
Ashley, Edward W., 
x\shley, Helen L., 
Ashley, Lizzietta, 
Ashley, Loring. 
Ashley, Marcus, 
Ashley, Marcus T. C, 
Ashley, William A., 
Ashley, William C, 
Ashley, Williams, 15 7, 2 

Babcock, George, 
Babcock, Lucy, 
Babcock, Return. 
Bacon, Jacob, 
Baggs, Elizabeth, 
Baker, Abbie, 
Baker, David, 
Baker, Maria A., 
Ball, Amy, 
Banks, Nathaniel P., 
Bartlett, Geo. F., 
Bartlett, Henry, 
Bassett, Rhoda S., 
Beals, Charles E., 
Bennett, Daniel, 
Bennett, Enoch, 



Pase 
137, 142 
incor- 

93 

31, 96, 102 

167 

151 

55 

69 

98 

108 

113 

181 

111 

61, 157 

77, 117 

222 

58 

176 

158 

77 

5 8 

29 



116, 



08 



117, 
133, 



55, 180, 210 
85 
181 
152 
212 
121 
45 
229 
137 
225 



33 



15 



215 



144, 255 

107, 111 

137 

36, 60 

38 

106 

38 

255 

134 

229 



107, 

228, 



31, 63 
222 
148 
206 
152 
113 
113 
113 
121 

99 

60 
111 

31 
183 

76 
110 





Pape 


Bennett, George W., 


168 


Bennit, Gilbert. 


153 


Bennett, Gustavus T.,., 


109, 110 


Bennett. Jeremiah, 


61, 157 


Bennett, John, Ji'.. 


215 


Bennett, Joseph, 


105, 120 


Bennett, Robert, 


24, 83 


Bennett, Rol)ert, 2d, 


24 


Bennit. Robert. Sr., 


153 


Bennett, Stephen, 


165 


Bennett, William, 


154, 157 


Bentley, Fred J., 


179 


Bisbee, Isaac, 


227 


Black, John, 


86 


Blackmer, John, 


222, 230 


Blackmer. Lois, 


230 


Blackmer, Phebe, 


222 


Blackmer, Salisbury, 


25 


Blackmer, Seth M.. 


108 


Blackmore, Sarah. 


222 


Blackwell, Nathaniel, 


40,"80 


Borden, J. E., 


181 


Bourne. Jonathan. 


40 


Boutwell. George S., 


118 


Bowerman. Samuel. 


153 


Bradford. Anna H., 


146 


Bradford, Hannah. 


117 


Bradford. Melvin, 


117 


Bradford. Oliver. 


39 


Bradford. Philip A., 




39, 54, 


109, 110, 111 


Bradford. William, 


117 


Bradley, Amos, 


222 


Braley, Bradford. 


108 


Braley. Frederick J., 


111 


Braley, Isaac V., 


181 


Braley, Russell. 


226 


Braley. Sarah J., 


161 


Bralev. Thomas E., 




106, 107, 


159, 226, 255 


Breed, Nathan, 


29 


Briggs, Rev. Mr., 


116 


Briggs, Joseph. 


77 


Briggs, Sarah, 


116 


Brightman, Asa M., '" 


108, 109 


Brown, Mary A., 


117 


Brownell, Emily A., 


146 


Brownell. Geo.. 


61 


Brownell. George L., 


184 


Brownell. Josei)h T., 2 


5, 55, 111, 182 


Brownell, Rol)ert. 


221 


Brownell, William. 


111 


Bryant. Gamaliel. 


143. 210 


Bryant. John, 


259 


Bryant. William, 


215 


Bumpus, Seth, 


60, 183 


Bumpus, Valetta E., 


137 


Burge, Benjamin, 


55 


Burt, Huldah W., 


31 


Burt, James, 


111, 123 


Burt, Joseph, 


110 



390 



Burt, Joseph, Jr. 
Burt, Joseph D., 
Butts, Jonathan, 



144 

107 

41 



Cannedy, William, 85 

Cannon, Philip, 2 08 

Canon, Philip, 2 09 

Cathell, Jane, 230 

Chad wick, John, 121 

Chaffee, Ezra, 121 

Chaffee, John, 

83, 84, 85, 121, 181, 210, 212 
Chase, Mary E., 45 

Cheever, Israel, 31.47,203,204,209 
Child, Jeremiah, 84 

Church, Benjamin, 15, 18, 143, 144 
Church, Jonathan. 91 

Churchill, Charles. 121 

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors, 

191, 194 
Clark, Cyrus, 97, 157 

Clark, Cyrus E., 33, 58, 96, 102, 103. 
105, 106, 144, 157, 161, 162, 181 
Clark, Joseph, 46, 60 

Clark, Lucy, 58 

Clinton, Gen. Henry, 69 

Cobb, George A., 40 

Cobb, James H., 109 

Cochran, David, 179 

Coin, Betsey M., 230 

Collins, David, 179 

Collins, Edward W., 60 

Collins, Elsie, 146 

Collins, Hananiah, 60, 162 

Cook, Amy, 23 

Cook, John, 12,16,44,72,157,221 
Cook, Joseph, 34, 165 

Cornell, Ezekiel, 152 

Cornish, Hannaniah, 

64, 105, 152, 155, 210 
Cory, Arthur C, 114, 183 

Corey, Billings F., 215 

Corv, Patience, 230 

Cory, Samuel. 29, 108 

Cory, Samuel, Jr., 108, 114 

Cottle, Charles P., HI 

Cowen, Jonathan, 96 

Cox, Arthur, 96 

Crandall, Phineas, 215 

Crandon, Albert S., 137 

Crandon, John, 

31, 33, 51, 58, 121, 165 
Crandon, Philip. 

59. 106, 121, 210, 215 
Crandon, Philip, Sr., 215 

Crandon, Thomas. 

31, 64, 76, 77, 165, 206 
Crapo, Luther, 227 

Crapo, Nicholas, 91 

Crapo, Philip, 215 

Crocker, George S., 109 

Grossman, Robert, 72 

Cummings. Benjamin, 60 

Cummings, Mary, 58 

Gushing. James, 68 

Cushman, Elisha. 3 6,153 

Cushman, Emery, 123, 171 

Cushman, Emery E., 107, 111 



Cushman, Francis K., 172 

Cushman, Henry, 172 
Cushman, Henry W., 

24, 55, 63, 158, 171, 172 

Cushman, James, 36, 208, 209 

Cushman, Jonathan, 76 

Cushman, Lemuel, 76 

Cushman, Niel, 121 

Cushman, Seth, 210 

Cushman. Zaccheus, 3 6, 60, 212 



Cuthl^ert, Samuel, 

Damon, Joseph, 
Dana, Edward A., 
Danforth, Jonathan, 
Danforth, Xancy, 
Danforth, Samuel, 



12 

210 

72 

60, 212 

211 

259 



Dartmouth, original purchasers 

of. 11 

Davis, Aaron, 221 

Davis, Al)raham, 61 

Davis, Allathea, 225 

Davis, Ann H., 229 

Davis, Daniel, 105, 144 

Davis, Eunice. 115 

Davis, George, 181 

Davis, Hannah, 115 

Davis, Humphrey, Jr., 115, 180 

Davis, Jacob S., 24 

Davis, James, 36 

Davis, .Jethro, 180 

Davis, .John R., 33,55,112,116,181 
Davis, John R., Jr., 

36, 58, 112, 161, 163, 179, 180 
Davis, .John R., Sr., 36,179,221 

Davis, Joseph R., Ill 

Davis, Mary R., 229 

Davis, Nathan, 61, 226 

Davis, Nicholas, 61, 144, 157, 200, 
218, 219, 225, 226, 227 
Davis, Obediah, 112,226,227 

Davis, Rebecca H., 115, 116 

Davis, Richard, 106.111,180,227 
Davis, Richard, Sr., 227 

Davis, Ruth, 227 

Davis, Shadrack, 173, 183 

Davis, Thomas, 180, 181, 225 

Davis, Timothy, 156, 15 7 

Davis, Walter A., 106,127,157 

Deane, Daniel W., 73 

Delano, Jabez. 240 

Devon. Charles L., Ill 

Devon, Daniel T., 10 7, 111 

Dexter. James, 33, 42, 157 

Dexter, James A., 29 

Dexter. Noah, 91 

Dillingham, Abram L., 59,111,164 
Dillingham, M. Alberta, 137 

Dillingham, Benlamin. 

60. 76. 121. 153, 211 
Dillingbum. Edward. 33, 59, 213 

Dillingham, Edward G., 

102, 108, 221 
Dillingham, Esther, 210 

Dillingham, Rebecca, 45 

Doty, Capt., 87 

Doty, Perez S., 107 



391 



Douglass, Moses S., 47, 55, 63, 106. 

108, 110, 134, 144, 158 

Douglass, Walter F., 161 

Dow, Lorenzo, 207 

Dow, William F., 175 

Drake, William H., 108 

Drew, Joseph, 121 

Dunbar, Mercy, 31 

Dunbar, Samuel, 31 

Dunham, William M., 31 

Earl, Job, 3 8 

Easterbrook, Mary, 222 

Edwards, Charles F., Ill 

Eldridge, Francis C, 26 

Eldridge, Katharine H., 2 6 

Eldridge, Martin L., 97, 105, 144 

Ellis, Ebenezer, 179 

Ellis, John, 96 

Engine Company, Head-of-the- 

River, 166,167 

Epworth League of Acushnet M. 

E. Church, 213 

Fairhaven Company, 89 
Fires, location and date, 169 
Forbes, Henry H., 31 
Foster, James, 42 
Founders Advent Religious So- 
ciety, 233 
Founders Congregational church, 

Acushnet Village, 23 4 

Frank, Michael, 36, 51 

Fuller, Cora B., 146 

Fuller, Experience, 222 

Fuller, Gedrge A., 109, 111, 158 

Fuller, James, 37, 61 

Fuller, Simeon, 222 



Abigail, 

Archeldamar 

Eben, 

James C, 

Leonard, 

William, 



Gammons, 

Gammons, 

Gammons, 

Gammons, 

Gammons, 

Gammons, 

Gardner, William, 

Gibbs, George W., 

Gifford, Eleanor, 

Gifford, George H., 

Gifford. G. Henry, 

Gifford, Jireh. 

Gifford, Joseph, 
Gifford, Luis, 
Gifford, Mary, 
Gifford, Remembrance, 
Gifford, Rufus W., 
Gifford, Sally, 
Gifford, Shubael, 
Gilbert, Gustavus, 
Gilbert, John, 
Gilmore, A. P. R., 
Glasse, George F., 
Gordon, William, 

68, 88, 121, 
Gould, Charlotte, 
Gould, William, 
Gracia, James. 
Gray, Edward B., 



109, 158 



230 
231 
231 
255 
228 
230 
121 

36 
222 
161 
117 
132 
117 
222 
117 
222 
161 

59 
178 
162 

69 

255 

105, 106 



29, 
29, 



162, 
161, 



165, 173, 181, 



210 
116 
116 
36 
135 



Gray, Gen. Chas., 
Gray, Job, Jr., 
Green, Hetty, 
Greenwood, John, 
Greenwood, Joseph, 
Grey, Mary, 
Grey, Job, Jr., 
GrifRng, Leonard B. 
Gurney, William A. 



D. 



163, 



69 
62 

12 
33 

55 
222 
176 
215 
164 



Haley, William 
Hall, Gardner, 
Hall, Nicholas, 
Halliday, William, 
Hamlin. James B., 
Hamlin, Samuel B., 
Hammett, James, 102, 
Hammett. Jeremiah, 
Hammett, John M., 
Hammett, Shubel. 
Hammond, Alden, 



231 

107, 108 

36 

119 

46, 60, 134, 176 

60, 63, 133, 175 

107, 227, 

26, 



Hammond, 
Hammond, 
Hammond, 
Hammond, 
Harrington 



Lemuel, 
Peace, 
Samuel, 
W. B., 
Augustus, 



31. 4 



Hart, Simpson, 
Harvey, Betsey W., 
Alice H., 
Elisha, 
Jedediah, 
Amos R., 
Antipas, 
Arthur, 



Haskell, 

Haskell, 

Haskell, 

Haswell, 

Hathaway, 

Hathaway, 



Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 



Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 

Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 
Hathaway, 



228 
15 4 
110 
154 
226 
29 
222 
62, 63 
133 

184, 233 

36, 63 

41, 57 

40 

40 

211 

106 

23, 24, 45 

29, 44, 105 

236 

29 

76 

87 

157 

76, 81 

115 



3 6, 



Benjamin, 
Charles H., 
David, 
Elizabeth, 
Elnathan, 
Eleazer, 
Eunice, 

Francis, 46 

Freelove, 229 

Freeman, 98 

Horatio, 46 
Humphrey, 

40, 46, 60, 80, 81, 86, 87, 121, 169 

Hathaway, Jabez, 121 

Jacob, 210 

Jethro, 44, 105 
John, 44,76,150,211 
Jonathan. 

44, 54, 56, 63, 76 

Lemuel, 81 

Margaret, 58 

Rebecca, 54 

Reuben. 76 

Richard W., 60 

Royal H., 97, 123 
Thomas, 

23, 29, 44, 54, 77, 105, 219 

Hathaway, Thomas O., 123 

Hathaway, Thomas S., 133 

Hathaway, Seth, 43, 64, 153 

Hathaway, Silas, 77 
Hathaway, Stephen, 

15, 29, 44. 45, 54, 77, 105,150 



392 



Hathaway, Susannah, 
Hathaway, William, 
Hawes, Frederic B., 
Hawes, Elizaljeth F., 
Hawes, John, 

60, 87, 105, 121, 122, 143, 
Hawes, Jonathan C, 
Hawes, Mary, 

Hawes, Simeon, 4 7, 14 7, 

Hawes, William, 
Head, Aurelia, 



Head-of-the-River 
Hersey, C. T., 
Hersom, Thomas, 



107, 

no. 



Company, 

Jr., 
Hersom, Thos., Sr., 33, 59, 
Hicks, Samuel, 
Hiller, Lydia R., 
Hitchcock, J. G. S., 
Hix, Daniel, 

222, 223, 224, 225, 232, 235, 
Hodges, James L., 
Holmes, Experience. 
Holmes, William M., 
Howard, Mary E., 
Howland, Aljigail, 
Howland, Cornelius, 
Howland, Consider, 
Howland, Experience, 
Howland, Frank T., 
Howland, Franklyu, 

23, 29. 44, 54, 100, 
Howland, Henry, 
Howland. Isaac, 
Howland, James, 
Howland. John, 
Howland. John H., 
Howland, John M., 
Howland. Nathaniel, 
Howland. Wing, 
Hunt, Daniel, 

Hunt, Samuel, 46, 47, 5 

199, 200, 203, 



156 
121 

174 
60 

144 
174 

60 
174 

60 
113 

89 

42 
147 
147 

12 
142 
113 

237 

96 

56 

110 

142 

45 

178 

206 

206 

107 



134, 143 

12, 86 

237 

157 

12 
114 
114 
200 
157 

61 
, 60, 
240 



85, 



4, 55 
204, 



Incorporators First Baptist So- 
ciety in New Bedford, 224 
Indians Praying, 25 8 
Ingraham, Capt., 73 



111 

153 

12, 200, 238, 240 

210 

227, 230 

206 

76 

58 

153, 208 

30, 54, 55, 157 

.81 

28 

117 

206 

28, 56 

81 

165 



Jackson 


, Henry A., 


Jenne, 


Henrv. 


Jenne, 


John, ■ 12 


Jenne, 


Seth, 


Jenne, 


William, 


Jenney, 


Benjamin, 


Jenney, 


Elnathan, 


Jenney, 


I., 


Jenney, 


Job, 


Jenney, 


John, 


Jenney, 


Jonathan, 


Jenney, 


Lettice, 


Jenney, 


Levi, 


Jenney, 


Louisa, 


Jenney, 


Mark. 


Jenney, 


Phoebe, 


Jenney, 


Samson, 


Jennev, 


Samuel, 


33. 37 


, 38, 46, 54, 56, 


Jenney, 


Silas, 



Jenney, William, 228 

Jenney, Zaccheus, 2 8 

Jennings, Latham T., 108, 109, 110 

Jennings, Patience E., 58 

Jenny, Albert S., ,107 

Jewett, Cornelia A., 116 
Joy, Samuel, 

40, 80, 156, 165, 178, 207 



Kane, 

Kane, 

Keen, 

Keen, 

Keen, 

Keen, 

Keen, 

Keene, 

Keene. 



Phebe, 

Ruth, 

Eljenezer, 

Henry B., 

Hervey V., 

Jesse, 

Mary, 

Ebenezer, 

Laura, 



Keene, Leonard, 

Keith, Ephraim, 

Kelley, Wilbur, 

Kempton, Charles 

Kempton, 

Kempton, 

Kempton, 

Kempton, 

Kempton, 

Kempton, 

Kempton. 



i i, 

36, 

29, 54. 77, 



Hannah, 

Jonathan, 

Joseph, 

Mary. 

Phoelie. 

Stephen, 

William, 



222 
222 
57, 156, 157, 236 
233 
233 
222 
222 
120 
117 
106 
30, 33, 58 
179 
29 
117 
29, 117 
58 
117 
81 
117, 156 



31, 

Kenyon, Abbie, 
Kenyon, Charles H., 
Kershew, Andrew, 
Kibby, Epaphras, 
Knowles, Charles S., 

La Fore, Doctor, 
Lake, Joseph, 
I^ake, William, 
Lawrence, James, 
Lawson, Frederic B., 
Lawton, Horace, 
Lee, Alice, 
Leland, Ira, 
Leland, John, 
Leonard, Charles F., 



Leonard, 

Leonard, 

Leonard, 

Leonard, 

Lewis, 

Lewis, 



Eben F., 
Ebenezer, 
George, 
Ida F., 

Al)ner, 

George H., 



58, 60. 61 



165 
81 



Lewis, George W., 
Lincoln, Abraham, 
Lincoln, Benjamin, 
Little. John, 
Little, Susan, 
Livermore, Mary, 
Long Plain Cemetery, 

Headstones, 
Longworth, Alice R., 
Lund, Jonathan P.. 
Lund, Parkman M., 
Luther, Naomi, 

Macomber, Elijah, 
Macomber, George A, 
Macomber, Godfrey, 



58, 63, 209 

41 

41, 60, 161 

82 

211 

183 



116 

41 

119 

181 

29 

43 

40 

229 

225 

182 

182 

182 

180 

107 

237 

23 

54 

29 

88 

32 

32 



116, 

45, 

106, 144, 

45, 106, 



235, 236, 



113 
names on 

255, 257 

40 

154, 173, 182 

174 

155, 156 

72, 77 

107 

38, 62, 102 



393 



Macomber, Leonard, 
Mandell, Ellis, 
Mandell, Lemuel, 
Mandell, Moses, 
Mandell, Paul, 
Mann. Horace, 
Mann, James, 
Manter, Florence, 
Manter, John, 
Manter, John Jr., 
Marsh, Frank M., 
Mason, Alexander, 
Mason, Dennis S., 
Mason, Lucy A., 
Mason, Reuben, 56, 62, 
McPherson, Joseph, 



45 

42, 4?, 

60 

105 

30, 31, 33 

129 

9] 

146 

227, 228 

161. 163 

135 

222 

105. 161, 181 

34 

109, 137, 157 

88 

105, 210, 238 

144 

144, 228, 239 

59, 165 



Mendall. Ellis. 24, 

Mendall. Ellis, Jr., 
Mendall, George, 105, 
Mendall, Lemuel, 
Mendall, Noah F., 

106, 108. 109. Ill 
Mendall, Paul, 
Merrihew, Anna, 
Merrihew, Lydia, 
Merrihew, Preserved, 
Metcalf. James, 
Mitchell, Jacob, 
Morgan, Charles W., 
Morse, All)ert S., 
Morse, Charles M., 

38, 107, 108 
Morse, Charles M., Jr 
Morse, Edward, 
Morse, George P., 



144 

58 

222 

222 

222 

68. 69 

16 

174 

108 



109, 221, 227 

38, 111, 179 

107, 177 



105, 106, 108, 133 
Morse, Joshua, 106 

Morse. Joshua, Jr., 
Morse, Joshua, Sr., 
Morton, Abram, 
Morton, Charles A., 
Morton, Job, 
Morton, Nathaniel, 
Mott, Adam, 
Mugglestone, Thomas, 
Munsell, Mary H., 



, 144, 177, 233 
, 108, 143, 227 
233 
177 
223 
156 
237 
237 
219 
119 
113 



60 
57 

87 



Nye, 
Nye, 

Nye, 
Nye, 
Nye, 
Nve, 



211 

108 



Nesbitt, Fred B., 
Nestell, Charles, 41, 

Nichols, George M., 
Nichols, Sarah, 

Nye, Freelove, 92, 

George W., 
Gideon, 

29, 45, 59, 60, 105, 111, 112, 144 
Gideon, Jr., 169 

Hannah, 45, 5 9 

Isaac, 46, 60 

Obed, 

23, 54, 60, 72, 92, 150, 184, 212 
Nye, Pardon, 166 

Nye, Thomas, 23 

Nye, Thomas, Jr., 143 

Nye, Sylvia, J 5 

Nve, William, o9 



Officiary Acushnet M. E. Church, 214 
Officiary Baptist Church at Long 

Plain, 230 

Officiary Christian Church at 

Perry Hill, 231, 232 

Officiary Congregational Church, 

Acushnet Village, 
Officiary Long Plain M. E. 

Church, 
Omey, Joseph C, 
Omey, Philip, 



235 

216 
107 

9 o o 
^ o o 



Palmer, 
Palmer, 
Parker, 
Parker, 
Parker, 
Parker, 

Parker, 
Parker, 
Parker, 
Pastors 



Esther, 
William, 
Elisha, 
George A. 
George F., 
George J., 
107, 
Mary G., 
Samuel, 
Sophia L.. 
Acushnet 



208 

12, 16, 119 

76 

111 

111 

111, 146, 184, 255 
116 

77 
116 



M. E. Church, 
213, 

Pastors Advent Religious Society, 

Pastors Baptist Church at Long 

Plain, 229, 

Pastors Christian Church at 

Perry Hill, 
Pastors Congregational Church, 
Acushnet Village, 



214 
233 

230 

231 

235 



Pastors Long Plain M. E. Church, 216 



Payson, Hannah. 
Payson, Samuel, 
Payson, William, 
Peckham, Benjamin, 
Peckham, James, 
Peckham, John C, 
Peirce, Mercy, 
Peirce, Richard, 
Perkins, Mercy, 
Perry, Duncan L, 
Perry, John 



113 

124 

31 

99 

152 

45 

31 

31, 47 

116 

238 



60, 212, 227, 228, 230 

27, 43, 83 

230 



Perry, John S., 
Perry, Lemuel, 
Perry, Robert, 

Perry, Samuel, 121,143, 

Peterson. S. H.. 
Phipps, Abner J., 
Phyllis, a Negress, 
Pickens, John, 
Pierce, Alexander O., 
Benjamin, 
David R., 
Eli W., 
Henry D., 
Joseph, 
Richard, 

165, 200. 203, 204, 208 

Samuel, 60, 166 

Sarah, 8 3 

David, '^^ 

Ebenezer A., 55 

Edward, 54, 62, 63, 77, 81, 85, 

88, 105. 116, 120, 150, 183 

Pope, Elihu, 123, 178 



Pierce, 
Pierce, 
Pierce, 
Pierce, 
Pierce, 
Pierce, 

Pierce, 

Pierce, 

Pope, 

Pope, 

Pope, 



83, 
102, 



222, 



83 
150 
113 
133 

83 
105 
110 
226 
111 
110 
137 
223 



394 



Pope, Elnathan, 








Russell, Joseph, Jr.. 




219 


24, 25, 2 


7, 55, 83, 


15 7, 


165 


Russell, Lemuel, 


58, 60, 


184 


Pope, Hannah, 






47 


Russell, Quash, 




175 


Pope, Isaac, 


2E 


>, 26, 


153 


Russell, Ruble D., 




60 


Pope, Jonathan, 


25, 


122, 


143 


Russell. Seth, 




87 


Pope, Lemuel, 






165 


Ryder, .lohn. 




154 


Pope, Lewis S., 




111, 


181 








Pope, Thomas, 


16, 54 


i, 63, 


154 


Samson, Elnathan, 


84, 85 


Pope, Samuel, 






200 


Samson. Henry, 


143, 


119 


Po])e, Seth, 24, 25, 


27, 47, 55, 64 


, 83, 


Sampson, James, 






143, 148, 157, 


199, 200, 


203, 


240 


36, 56, 57, 61, 


143, 157, 


222 


Poi)e, Worth, 




33, 58 


Sampson, James, Jr., 


34, 55, 56 


Potter, Daniel, 






38 


Sampson, Joseph, 


157. 


222 


Potter, Jonathan. 






38 


Sampson, Stephen, 




55 


Potter, Loring. 






110 


Sands, Mary, 




222 


Pratt. Amos, 


33, 58, 5« 


•, 96. 


121 


Scott, William M.. 




36 


Pratt, Betsey, 






58 


Sears, Love M., 




229 


Pratt, Sylvester, 




110, 


111 


Sears, Prince, 




116 


Precinct Cemeter> 


names 


on 




Sears, Silas F., 




229 


headstones. 




241, 


253 


Severance, Jane A., 




132 


Proud, John, 






105 


Severance, Joseph, 
Severance. Thomas. 




157 
45 


Reed, James E.. 






6 


Severance. William. 




58 


Revolutionary War 


Soldiers. 






Shaw, Job L., 




29 






186, 


191 


Shaw. Lewis, 




215 


Reynolds. Luther. 




178, 


1 S II 


Shepherd. Daniel. 




119 


Ricketson. Daniel, 






1 1 


Shepherd. Nathaniel, 




63 


Ritchie, Andrew. 






59 


Sherman, Abraham, 




24 


Roach, William. 






173 


Sherman, Abraham, Jr. 


' > 


169 


Robhins, Sabina, 






113 


Sherman, Asa. 




81 


Roberts, Joseph, 




204, 


208 


Sherman. James, 




159 


Robinson, A])iel P. 


, 






Sherman. James R., 




108 


5 


6, 86, 97, 


105, 


111 


Sherman, John, 




22G 


Rol)inson. Alice P. 






229 


Sherman, Joshua, 


42, 71 


Rol)inson. Benjamin. 




134 


Sherman, Nehemiah, 




226 


Robinson, Chloe. 






229 


Sherman, Otis. 




215 


Robinson, Frederic 


k H., 




111 


Sherman, Rel)ecca G., 




59 


Robinson, Jones, 








Sherman, Sarah L., 




116 


97, 103, 111, 


124, 129, 


144, 


225 


Sias, Solomon, 




215 


Robinson, Thomas 


J., 




107 


Silvey, Adeline. 




36 


Rogers, Henry H.. 


135, 


144, 


158 


Simmons. Amos. 




157 


Rogers, Millicent-G 


ifford, 




144 


Simmons. Ephraini. 




34 


Roosevelt, Alice, 




40, 80 


Simmons. Keziah. 




34 


Roosevelt, Theodore, 




40 


Simmons, Nathan. 




34 


Rotch, Joseph, 






185 


Simon. Abigail. 




21 


Rotch, William. 






115 


Simon. Ben, 




21 


Rotch, William. Jr. 


» 




63 


Simon. Isaac, 




21 


Rouse, Rhoda, 






222 


Simon. Jacob. 




21 


Ruggles, Annie M. 


r 


23, 54 


Simon, Martha. 




21 


Russell, Abraham, 






82 


Simon. Sally. 




21 


Russell, Allen. 


58, 


184. 


239 


Simon. Stephen. 




21 


Russell. Allen. Jr., 






161 


Simon. William, 


21, 


259 


Russell. Allen, Sr., 






45 


Sisson. ,Iol). .Jr.. 




59 


Russell, Betsey, 






132 


Skiff, John, 


72, 77 


Russell, Charles, 






143 


Slade, Caleb, 105, 106, 


107, 161, 


181 


Russell. Charles L. 


, 




inn 


Slocum. Joseph B., 




161 


Russell. Daniel. 






S4 


Smith. Deliverance, 




219 


Russell, David, 


54, 


116. 


1 1 7 


Smith, Elias. 


224, 225, 


237 


Russell, George T. 


4n 


1 , 5 8, 


132 


Smith, Humphrey. 




152 


Russell, George T. 


. Jr.. 




106 


Smith, William, 




36 


Russell. George T., 


Sr.. 






Snow, Loum. 


32, 62 




46. 59 


1, 60, 


102 


Snow, Loum, Sr., 




176 


Russell, Henry T.. 






60 


Snow, Susan W., 




32 


Russell. John, 






148 


Soge, Desire, 




222 


Russell, John, Jr., 






148 


Soge, Sarah, 




222 


Russell. John Sr., 






86 


Souther. Nathaniel. 




9 


Russell. .John A., 




238, 


239 


Si)ooner. Alden. 






Russell, Joseph, 






185 


24, 81, 105, 120, 


122, 143, 


144 



395 



Spooner, Barnabas, 36 

Spooner, Caleb, 77 

Spooner, Daniel, 30, 33, 58, 76, 165 
Spooner, Elliot A., 13 7 

Spooner, Elnathan, 157 

Spooner, Isaac, 3 9 

Spooner, James, 76 

Spooner, Jeremiah, 39 

Spooner, John, 

36, 38, 55, 62, 143, 157, 165 
Spooner, John, Jr., 24, 55, 56 

Spooner, Jonathan, 38 

Spooner, Martha, 35 

Spooner, Merab, 211 

Spooner, Nathan, 3 8 

Spooner, Nathaniel, 39, 77, 173, 209 
Spooner, Nathaniel, Jr., 121 

Spooner, Nathaniel S., 2 4, 33, 3 5, 
36, 38, 39, 42, 54, 59, 144, 162 
Spooner, Paul, 142, 143 

Spooner, Philip, 121 

Spooner, Rounseville, 225 

Spooner, Samuel, 54 

Spooner, Seth, 

43, 56, 143, 144, 157, 165 
Spooner, Thomas, 24 

Spooner, Walter, 43, 64, 97, 105, 

106, 133, 144, 152, 157 
Spooner, Walter R., 33, 70, 111, 137 
Spooner, William, 

39, 55, 106, 122, 156, 215 
Spooner, William A., 107, 108 

Sprague, Samuel, 35, 42, 55, 82, 165 
Stacy, Samuel, 98 

Standish, Isaiah. 91 

Starl)uck, Hephzibah, 45 

Stetson, Charles, 121 

Stetson, Silas, 24, 3 3, 59 

Stone, Moses, 54 

Stowell, Joseph, 212 

Sturtevant, Charles, 91 

Summerton. Benjamin, 178 

Summerton, Daniel, 

36, 46, 60, 178, 211, 212 
Summerton, John, 222 

Summerton, Rebecca, 222 

Swift, Annie N., 147 

Swift, Clement N., 147,239 

Swift, Elizabeth, 45 

Swift, Humphrey, 87, 121 

Swift, Humphrey H., 229, 233 

Swift, Jireh, 29, 32, 41, 45, 62, 76, 
87, 105, 112, 154, 176, 208, 209 
Swift, Jireh, Jr., 64, 121, 210 

Swift, Jireh, 4th, 87, 12 2 

Swift, Jonathan, 

32, 41, 62, 121, 176, 206, 233 
Swift, Nancy, 3 2 

Swift, Paul, 121 

Swift, Reuben, 89, 9 0, 184 

Swift, Rodolphus N., 32, 86, 90 

Sweet, Silas, 27, 222 

Sylvia, Mary C, 137 

Symmes, Zachery, 201 



Taber, Amaziah, 
Taber, Anne, 
Taber, Antipas, 



24, 26, 47, 177 

183 

81 



Taber, Archelus, 231 

Taber, Bartholomew, 178 

Taber, Benjamin, 173 

Taber, Comfort, 222 

Taber, Desire, 81 

Taber, Elnathan, 26 

Taber, George H., 86 

Taber, Henry F., 

106, 111, 134, 144, 179 
Tal)er, Humphrey, 178,179 

Tal)er, Jabez, 24,26,45,55,83,104, 

105, 161, 165 
Taber, Jacob, 

24, 27, 41, 43, 55. 77, 119. 177, 219 
Taber, James, 105,144,161 

Taber. Jethro, 77, 183 

Tal)er, John, 26,47,55,63,104,157 
Taber, Jonathan, 105, 106, 107 

Taber, Joseph, 25, 26, 47, 55, 63, 

153, 157, 177, 183, 218, 219, 230 
Taber, Lydia, 222 

Taber, Mary, 45 

Taber, Mason, 

25, 55, 81, 155, 179, 227 
Taber, Pardon, 153, 177 

Taber. Pardon, Jr., 106,133 

Taber, Peter, 183, 184 

Taber, Philip, 64, 105, 200 

Tabor, Rebecca, 230 

Taber, Samuel, 22 7 

Tal)er, Stephen, 

31, 37, 58, 61, 63, 153, 179, 223 
Taber, Thomas, 26,47,55,63,148 
Taber, Thomas, Jr., 56 

Taber, Tucker, 222 

Taber, Walter, 110 

Taber, Welthea, 222 

Taber, William, 83, 119 

Taber, William C, 24 

Taber, William G., 62, 109, 177 

Taber, William R., 221 

Tallman, William, 3 8, 184 

Terry, Benjamin, 33, 42 

Terry, Ellas, 33 

Terry, Isaac, 63, 182 

Terry, Mary, 181 

Terry, Thomas, 33, 178 

Thatcher, Thomas F., 

157, 161, 163, 181 
Thomas, James, 58, 169 

Thomas, Sylvanus. 62, 175 

Thompson, John R., HI 

Thornton, Chester, 107 

Thornton, Daniel, 3 6 

Tinkham, John, 55 

Tobey, Elisha, 28, 77, 85, 143, 209 
Tobey, Elnathan, 3 8, 184 

Tobey, John, 236 

Tobey, Jonathan, 157 

Toliey, Zacheus, 184 

Tripp, Alonzo, 112, 114 

Tripp, Alton M., 137 

Tripp, Betsey, 112 

Tripp, Frederick O., HI 

Tripp, Samuel, 34, 112 

Tripp, Stephen. 157 

Trotter, William, 23 7 

True, Melvin H., 59 



396 



Tuck, John, 



56, 106, 218 



Tucker, Henry, 

Tucker, John, 

Tucker, John, Jr., 

Turner, Christopher, 

Union Seminary Students, 

Vaughn, Jonathan, 
Veasey, Soi)hronia, 
Venture, a Negro, 
Vincent, Isaac, 33, 5 5, 5 8^ 
Vincent, John M., 



Wady, John, 
Waggoner, Alexander, 
Wakefield, Climena, 
Walker, Fietsey, 
Walker, Charles E., 
Walker, Sarah, 
Ward, Chester, 
Ward, Jabez, 
Ward, Willard D., 
Warner, Burrage Y., 
Warner, Oliver, 
Warren, James, 
Washburn, Israel, 



219 

219 

219 

61 

113 

215 
146 

83, 84 

60, 87, 202 

33 



60, 



106, 108, 



Washburn, 


Lettice, 


Washlnirn, 


Moses, 


Washl)urn, 


Reuljen, 


Washburn, 


William H. 




97, 



29, 



97, 

114, 

62, 



6, 



196. 



144, 179, 
Weeden, James, 

Weeks, J. Frank, 3 

West, Bartholomew, 

46, 54, 60, 72 
West, Hannah, 8 2, 121 

W^est, John, 73, 153 

West, Samuel, 30, 31, 34, 54, 82, 
153, 203, 204. 205, 206, 209 
West, Samuel, Jr.. 
West, Stephen, 5 8, 63, 157 

West, Stei)hen, Jr., 

32, 37, 38, 54, 56, 58, 61, 119 
West. Stephen W., 
West, Thomas, 
West, William, 
Whaling Captains, 
Whelden, Clara G. 
Whelden, Joseph, 

62, 63, 
White, Alden, 
White, Annie, 
White, Ansel, 

34, 41, 61, 106, 157, 175 
White, Augustus, 

10 6, 107 
White, Benjamin, 97, 
111, 133, 144, 175 
White, Benjamin F., 
Eugene, 
Ezra, 

Jonathan P., 
Peregrine, 
Phineas, 



lOJ 



144, 175, 
6, 105, 



212 

31 

113 

112 

133 

3 4 

137 

177 

137 

133 

99 

40 

179 

183 

175 

1 6 9 

184 

23 

1, 47 

, 150 
, 206 
, 206 

121, 
, 210 

206 
, 161 

, 219 

32 

209 

60 

199 

137 

176 

255 

24 



176, 227 



White, 
White, 
White, 
W^hite, 
White, 
WHiite, 
White, 
White, 



Sibel, 

Stephen, 

William, 

41, 57, 



123, 


. 158, 


233 


103, 


105, 


106. 


183, 


. 184, 


236 




142, 


176 
24 

175 
58 




41, 


237 


175, 


228, 


232 
230 




110, 


175 



w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 

w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 

w 
w 

w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 
w 

\\' 
w 
w 



hite, William, Jr., 
hite, William, Sr., 
hitman, Henry, 
ilber & Bradford, 
illnir, Adelaide, 
ilbur, Benjamin T., 
ill)ur. Drucilla R., 
illjur. N. Hervey, 
ilbur, Horatio N., 
ilcox, Charles H., 
ilcox. Job, 
ilde, Charles M., 
ilde, Samuel, 

163, 180. 
ilde, W^illiam S., 
illiams, Francis D., 
illiams, Job. 
illiams, Lemuel, 
illis, Ebenezer, 
illis. Eliokim. 
illis. Samuel, 
illis. William, 
ilson. Benjamin, 

102. 103. 106, 
ing, Annie, 
ing, Andrew J., 

24, 27, 55, 
ing, Caroline B.. 
ing. Daniel, 
ing. Edward. 3 6 

ing, Elizabeth, 
ing, Frederic W., 
ing, James A., 
ing, Jashub, 
ing, John, 
ing, John, Jr., 
ing, Joseph R., 
ing, Levi, 
ing, Mary A., 
ing, Paul, 
ing, Samuel, 
ing, Sands, 
ing, Stephen, 
inslow, Ezra, 
inslow, Hezekiah, 



63, 



174, 



181, 215, 

161, 

29, 45, 

105, 

119, 
63, 



108, 109, 
108, 109, 
, 59, 121, 



97, 102, 107^ 



58, 108, 
14, 27, 55, 



inslow, Job, 

iston, Jenne, 

ood, Albert. 

ood, Gideon, 

ood, Isaac, 

ood. Israel. 

ood, Jabez, 31, 59, 

ood, Taber, 

ood, Thomas, 24, 4 

ood, William, 

ood. Zeruiah. 

orth, Henry B., 

orth, William R., 

right, Zacheus H., 

rightington. Al)igail, 

rightington. Patience, 

I'ightington, Ro))ert, 

riglitington, Thomas, 



225, 
97, 103, 

■, 55, 63, 



61 



62, 63, 156, 175, 176 



York, Orin, 
York, Orin S.. 
Young. Anthony, 



175 
175 

96 
112 
221 
111 

36 
221 

54 

29 
157 
181 

225 
163 
112 
84 
143 
210 
208 
209 
143 

110 

24 

110 

24 

226 

173 

34 

106 

24 

31 

36 

173 

102 

133 

27 

153 

134 

170 

34 

23 

23 

23 

222 

177 

24 

96 

228 

105 

24 

177 

31 

73 

,53 

102 

109 

222 

222 

165 

165 

181 

no 

61 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 



Adams, Charles H., 
Allen, James, 
Allen, James R., 
Ashley, Edward R., 
Ashley, Lizzietta E., 

Bartlett, Henry, 
Bennett, Gustavus Leonard,' 
Blackmer, Seth M., 
Bradford, Joel Packard, 
Bradford, Philip A., 
Bradford, William, 
Braley, Isaac V., 
Braley, Thomas Elwood, 
Brownell, Joseph T., 
Brownell, William, 
Butts, Francis A., 

Clark, Cyrus E., 
Cochrane, David, 
Collins, Hananiah Wing, 
Cory, Arthur C, 
Crandon, Philip, 
Cushman. Emery, 
Cushman, Emery Eugene, 
Cushman, Henry W., 
Cushman, James, 



Davis, 

Davis, 

Davis, 

Davis, 

Davis, 

Davis, 

Devoll 

Dillingham, 

Dillingham, 



James, 

John R., Jr., 

Joseph R., 

Richard, Jr., 

Richard, Sr., 

Walter A., 
Daniel Tucker, 
Edward G., 
Lemuel, 



Douglass, 
Douglass, 
Douglass, 



Edwin De Forest, 
Moses S., 
Walter Franklyn, 



Eldridge, Martin L., 

Fox, George S., 
Fuller, George A., 

Gilmore, Abiel P. R., 
Glasse, George F., 
Gurney, William A., 

Hamlin, Samuel Baker, 
Hathaway, Stephen Kempton, 
Hawes, John, 
Hawes, Jonathan Capen, 
Hersom, Thomas, 
Hersom, Thomas, Jr., 
Howland, Alexander, 
Howland, Cornelius, 
Howland, Cornelius A., 
Howland, Franklyn, 
Howland, George, 
Howland, Leroy Albert, 
Howland, Mathew, 



Page 
260 
262 
261 
263 
264 

265 

266 
266 
270 
269 
267 
272 
271 
274 
273 
274 

275 

275 
276 
276 
277 
278 
280 
279 
278 

285 
282 
283 
284 
281 
283 
286 
287 
287 
289 
288 
290 

291 

292 
293 

294 

294 
295 

296 
297 
298 
300 
301 
302 
306 
305 
307 
308 
304 
310 
303 



Howland, Max Franklyn, 
Howland, Wing, 

Jenney Family, 

Kenyon, Charles H., 

Leonard, Eljen F., 
Leonard, El)enezer, 
Lumbard, Charles Emery, 
Lumbard, John, 
Lumbard, Joseph Edward, 
Lund, Parkman Macy, 

Mason, Dennis S., 
Mendell, Ellis, 
Mendell, Seth, 
Morse, Asa T., 
Morse, Charles M., 
Morse, Charles M., 
Morse, Edward, 
Morse, George P., 
Morse, Ida F., 
Morse, Joshua, 
Morton, James Madison, 

Nye, Gideon, 
Nye, Gideon, Jr., 
Nve, Obed, 



Jr., 
Sr., 



Parker, George J 


Pope, 


Edward, 


Pope, 


Elihu, 


Pope, 


Seth, 


Pope, 


Silas, 


Pope, 


Thomas, 



Robinson, Abiel Pierce, 
Robinson, Jones, 
Russell, Allen, Jr., 
Russell, Allen, Sr., 
Russell, George T., 
Russell, George T., Jr., 
Russell, Henry Thomas, 
Russell, John A., 

Sherman, Abram, Jr., 
Shockley, WMlliam Irving, 
Slade, Caleb, 
Spooner, Alden, 
John, 

Nathaniel Sprague, 
Paul, 

Rounseville, 
Seth, 
Walter, 
Walter, 

Walter Rounseville, 
Clement Nye, 
Humphrey Hathaway, 
Jireh. 

Rhodolphus Nye, 
William Cole Nye, 



Spooner, 

Spooner, 

Spooner, 

Spooner, 

Spooner, 

Spooner, 

Spooner, 

Spooner 

Swift, 

Swift, • 

Swift, 

Swift, 

Swift, 



Page 
311 
305 

312 

312 

314 

«1 -1 O 
O i O 

316 
315 
317 
318 

319 
320 
319 
325 
326 
322 
321 
324 
327 
323 
328 

329 
330 
331 

332 
334 
334 
333 
33 5 
333 

336 
337 
342 
339 
338 
340 
342 
341 

343 
343 
344 
348 
348 
349 
347 
350 
346 
346 
350 
351 
355 
354 
351 
352 



398 



Taber, George Smith, 
Taber, Henry F., 
Taljer, Jaljez Hathaway, 
Taber, Jacob, 
Taber, Pardon, 
Tal)er, Pardon, Jr., 
Taber, William Gardner, 
Terry, Elias, 
Tripp, Arnold G., 
Tripp, Jerome Plummer, 

Warner, Barrage Y., 
Warner, Milton B., 
Washburn, Albert Gardner, 
WaEhl)urn, Francis P., 
Washburn, Israel, 
Washburn, William Henry, 
Webb, James, 



358 


Weeks, 


Joshua Franklin, 


359 


White, 


Alden, 


357 


White, 


Ansel, 


356 


White, 


Ansel Clark, 


357 


White, 


Augustus, 


357 


White, 


Benjamin, 


358 


White, 


Benjamin Franklin 


360 


Wilbur 


, Horatio Nelson, 


361 


Wilbur 


, Xoah Hervey, 


362 


Wilcox 


, John, 




Wilson 


, Benjamin, 


363 


Wing, 


Andrew J., 


363 


Wing, 


Frederic L., 


367 


Wing, 


James Allen, 


368 


Wing, 


Levi, 


365 


W'ing, 


Samuel. 


366 


W^ood, 


Thomas, 


369 


Wood, 


William G., 



370 
376 
371 

o 70 

374 
372 
375 
378 
377 
379 

382 
384 
385 
381 
383 
386 
387 





















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